BAE Systems has partnered with the University of Manchester to accelerate the design and development of a new jet aircraft by using data science.

In order to achieve the UK government’s Combat Air Strategy, Team Tempest partners are leveraging new, innovative digital technologies to make the programme quicker and more efficient as developing a new fast jet aircraft is a lengthy and expensive process.

The Data Science Accelerator five year project between BAE Systems and the University of Manchester aims to combat this.

Andrew Gordon, the Cluster Lead for AI and Digital at BAE Systems Air said: “There’s a massive amount of data captured from some of the incredibly complex systems used in fast jet flight.

"Working in partnership allows for both parties to share our experience and knowledge in exploring the data captured.

“The accelerator takes data and helps us formulate simulations and prototypes more quickly and cost effectively than we would using a siloed approach.”

Professor Hujun Yin, the academic lead for the Accelerator at The University of Manchester added: “The Data Science Accelerator elevates our collaboration with BAE Systems to another level.

“Projects under the Accelerator; from seminars to workshops and sprints to PhD’s, not only provide snapshots of relevant research advances in Manchester but also offer opportunities for academics to extend their research to tackle the challenges faced by BAE Systems and in engineering applications of data analytics and AI techniques.”

Aerodynamics tests like using data from wind tunnel testing is being used to rapidly produce different test models, and reduce the time it would take to go through the development and design process to save time and money.

Other projects the scheme is exploring includes a multi-modal data analytics programme which involves developing algorithms that will help aircraft radar with image and object recognition in real time.

It also finds ways to use data to determine pilot workload and adjust systems in real time, and how to potentially replace sensors for virtual ones.

Andrew added: “Working in more dynamic and agile ways are essential if we’re to produce innovative, smart tech products that our customers want and need for the future.

“We believe collaborative working with world leading academics is fundamental to the advancement of aerospace technology going forward and I’m sure further collaborations as we move forward will have benefits for everyone involved, including our customers down the line.”