Airbus’ Bird of Prey concept aims to show the younger generation that engineering is entering an exciting new era explains Mark Bentall, Airbus Technology Head of Operations
THE launch of Airbus’ conceptual airliner – dubbed the Bird of Prey – captured the imagination of those who saw it at the recent Royal International Air Tattoo. It is a stunning piece of engineering design that pushes the boundaries of technology and innovation with its bird-like appearance.
Rightly lauded as a showcase for the aerospace industry’s design credentials, Bird of Prey has an important role too in bringing engineering to life for a new generation of STEM students and early years school children.
In essence, Bird of Prey is intended to spark that ‘wow factor’ with wing and tail structures that mimic those of an eagle or falcon, with individually controlled feathers providing active flight control. The blended wing-to-fuselage joint mirrors the graceful, aerodynamic arch of a bird of prey.
Backed by the GREAT Britain campaign, Royal Aeronautical Society, Air League, Institution of Engineering and Technology and Aerospace Technology Institute, Bird of Prey is an extrapolation of what could be done with technologies that currently form the basis of research within Airbus, like hybrid-electric propulsion to reduce emissions, active control systems and advanced composite structures.
But behind the inspiring biomimicry design which takes its cues from nature, the initiative also seeks to highlight Airbus’ High Value Design credentials and reinforce its position as a global leader of innovation and engineering excellence. This is particularly important at a time when the whole industry is focusing on electrification, automation and reducing environmental impacts. We can help lead the global re-engineering of engineering itself.
Why do we need to do this? Engineering is a complex subject for people on the outside and is often misunderstood, which regrettably means it is often undervalued. Who outside our profession knows that engineering is essentially the clever process that takes science and converts it into products that can be made efficiently, and which society wants?
As we all know, anything people are using or have travelled in has come about by engineers deciding what it looked like, how it’s made and how it performs. That means engineers are influential. But, as products get more complex, the role of engineers is now above the abilities of any one individual. No one person can hope to design and build a product from scratch. Certainly, few organisations have the corporate knowledge to engineer complex products alone.
Just look at airliners. Airframers rely on engineers with a myriad of specialisations to make them fly. Among many others, we need engineers who can reinvent the way we think about aerodynamics, structures and propulsion systems, as well as engineers who can integrate the latest technologies if we hope to design and deliver the breakthrough innovations that will enable a sustainable aviation future.
How then do we develop the skills and processes to achieve this shift? And how do we inspire people to consider engineering as a career path?
Fifty years ago, in July 1969, man first walked on the moon. The same year Concorde took flight. And coincidentally, Airbus came into being in May that same year. Few people who witnessed those events could fail to be inspired by what they saw. Many prominent engineers in this country ascribe the spark that set their lives on course to these events. What would be today’s equivalent? And, how do we reach those people we are hoping to engage with in the modern era?
Bird of Prey could be one of the answers. It has been an exciting journey from initial conception to our unveiling at the world’s largest military air show at RAF Fairford. It shows what can be achieved if we use our imaginations and push innovation to the limits. If even 10% of its features become a reality it will be a worthwhile exercise, notwithstanding the value such an initiative can have in terms of inspiring a new generation of potential engineers.
We want the Bird of Prey to show the younger generation that engineering is entering an exciting new era and that they can make a difference. Most importantly of all, we want these people to think that engineering is for them.
Mark Bentall is Airbus Technology Head of Operations
Now that is what I call an inspirational piece and i have to comment that after 56 years as an engineer involved in many industries over that time and worked from being in a frame of mind to want to be involved from conceptual , design, and detail through to development , manufacture and finally marketing and sales i appreciate everything said in this article and recognise it as so very true. i started in the Aircraft Industry at 16 when it was becoming impossible to replicate my fathers achievement of being competently involved and working on all elements of the aircraft. At 17 i was asked what part of the aircraft i wanted to specialise in and I chose at the time Hydraulics. the mention of the moon landings also struck a chord as at 23 I went to see Apollo 17 leave for the moon and was very impressed by the sign NASA had up on the wall “If you can Dream it, We can do it” and we are talking 1972. i then witnessed at Disney World what could be achieved by an insistence by Walt Disney on achieving the extra 10% when designing something. it changed my life for the rest of my career which is not over yet because i will not retire as there is too much still to do. i hope your article does inspire the up and coming engineers, as long as they do not believe the only place for old engineers is the retirement pasture. We can do so much more working together.
Mr. Wilby, I could not agree with you more. I am 72 years old, and have been actively engaged in engineering for 50 years, and I love my work. I do not wish to retire. I worked in some research in graduate school on the Space Shuttle, before they built it, on the re-entry systems, and found it fascinating. I do energy engineering work now, but use modeling techniques and analysis now for industrial and commercial systems much related to my work in the space program. I enjoy challenges, and glad to hear there are some others out there not ready to get hardening of the arteries sitting around.
Of course, we STEM folk deal primarily with Nature’s Laws: other lesser so-called professions with man’s laws: and it shows.
Thank you Mr. Wilby and Mr. Colburn for your comments. As a mid-career engineer (mining) I found your posts both inspiring and motivating.
As engineering professionals we are at our most valuable as we accrue experience and insight. I salute you both for your commitment to life-long learning and professional practice. Keep up the good work!
P.S. Mr. Blamey, your post made me laugh.
A stunning design. The front of the cockpit reminds me somewhat of the Handley Page Victor from early 1950’s. I always thought the Victor was a menacing looking aircraft!. By contrast this Bird of Prey concept airliner in the displayed livery is easy on the eye. I hope this inspirational design finds its way into production in the future.
A stunning visual representation backed up by grandiose rhetoric, and no data. Without reference to payload, range, speed, fuel consumption, carbon emissions, operating cost etc this is waffle. Not at all what engineering is respected for.
Delighted to have added a smile to your day! fellow bloggers might recall that in a previous life it was my privilege to be appointed Poet to Mr Speaker Weatherill, when he was i/c Parliament: a period which co-incided with the worst excesses of the Grocer’s daughter and her ilk. Bernard always tried to conduct the affairs of Parliament with good manners and a smile! And once confided to me that he rarely if ever saw ‘her’ smile. I am told that HMQ has an excellent sense of humour: and really enjoys a good joke. Indeed folk meeting her for the first time are advised to have one in their back pocket, in case invited to offer such. As this post involves/started with reference to ‘a bird’ perhaps that apparently offered to the Queen by a very well known actor might amuse. Two farmers are discussing a contract from a well known fast-food chain: to create a four legged chicken. What do they taste like? asks one: “Don’t know” replies the other, “we haven’t managed to catch one yet!