If all goes to plan, Tempest, the sixth-generation fighter jet which would replace the ageing Typhoon or Eurofighter, will be deployed by the RAF by the mid-2030s. The state-of-the-art plane, which is being developed by the UK in conjunction with Sweden, will be equipped with laser and hypersonic weapons, and will be accompanied into battle by a mini squadron of semi-autonomous drone-like “wingmen”. And Suzy Broadbent, BAE Systems’ Human Factors Lead, said she and her colleagues were also working on a method whereby the craft would be able to tune into the brain signals of pilots – and respond accordingly.
The experimental research involves electroencephalogram (EEG) caps fitted under the helmet, which track brain wave patterns of test subjects.
As a result, during flight simulations conducted in the confines of the lab, scientists are able to monitor when pilots are getting overloaded or stressed.
She added: “At the moment it’s very much subjective opinion – it’s up to the pilot what they think is going on and data is captured in a debrief session afterwards.”
Data gathered in such a way would allow pilots to devote their attention to crucial tasks, but could also help in a crisis, for example, if he or she missed an alarm or alert.
Ms Broadbent added: “The machine could either take over, or present the information to you in a different way, or hand control back to somebody on the ground.”
BAE Systems is also looking at methods for detecting hypoxia, a hazardous condition whereby a pilot can black out as a result of a lack of oxygen to the brain – although Ms Broadbent stressed “everything has to go through the ethics committee”.
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He told Express.co.uk: “It’s very exciting and all very realistic, the drone swarms, the directed energy, all of it.
“This is not a replacement for current aircraft – this is about how we imagine air power being deployed in the future.”
Team Tempest, the partnership tasked with turning it into a reality, consists of four industrial partners – BAE Systems, the UK arm of Leonardo, MBDA Missile Systems, and Rolls Royce – along with the RAF and the Ministry of Defence.
Mr Everitt added: “It’s the first time ever this sort of partnership has been pulled together.
“It’s really important as a way of doing things in the future.
“I think the general feeling is that everything’s been going really well over the course of the last year.
Good progress has been made and the relationship with the RAF has deepened.
“We are all cognisant to the fact that this is an important programme and I think the timetable is about right.
“Typhoon will go out of service in 2040 so everyone understands the time pressures.”