A defense contractor from the UK is apparently working on creating a real-life Optimus Prime—or at least, a plane that comes with transformative properties.
BAE Systems unveiled several concept aircrafts earlier this month, the “Transformer” and the “Survivor” being the two most interesting. While neither is actually a robot in disguise, the Transformer stealth jet does have the ability to turn into three smaller plans in the event it’s attacked, and the Survivor can heal itself mid-flight.
The Transformer is made up of three separate aircrafts, which form the plane above if they are combined—a formation that also conserves fuel on all three of the planes and enables them to travel for longer distances without the need for refueling in mid-air. The shape above is formed when the two smaller planes, which are triangular fighters, attach to the larger, main plane, which is shaped like a diamond.
The Survivor, on the other hand, was named—aptly—for its proposed healing capabilities. Rather than “transforming” into three separate planes upon attack, the Survivor uses advanced materials so it can automatically heal itself, even in mid-flight. If the plane is attacked, it uses lightweight, adhesive fluids—essentially really high-tech liquid bandages—that are stored inside carbon-fiber nanotubes to repair the damage.
While the Transformer and the Survivor design concepts are certainly the most intriguing plans BAE has unveiled, we shouldn’t forget about what they’re doing with 3D-Printing. The contractor is also attempting to use 3D-printing technology in order to create UAVs that can be air-deployed to scope out dangerous situations. The company also says that this technology might one day be on a plane equipped with a laser gun that could blast said danger away.
Now if they could just figure out how to create a transformative, self-healing, laser-shooting stealth plane…
Or Optimus Prime. Let’s create Optimus Prime.
Source CNET
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