BAE Systems have claimed that with the help of futuristic technology like 3D printers they could create small UAVs by 2040.
It was suggested by the defence firm's scientists and engineers that these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) could potentially be used as a group of wide-winged aircraft for protracted or enduring surveillance or as rotary-winged UAVs to rescue single civilians or soldiers from dangerous situations, the Guardian reported.
Nick Colosimo, a futurist and engineering manager at its research and development team in Warton, Lancashire, said that BAE Systems have a rich heritage in research and development and work done by thousands of scientists and engineers. The defence firm has unveiled the '3D printed UAV' as one of the many futuristic technologies like the 'Survivor', an aircraft that could heal itself or 'Transformer', a long-range aircraft which divides into a number of smaller one, they believe could be incorporated in military and civil aircraft in 2040 or even earlier.
