1960 CE
British Aircraft Corporation Formed
British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) formed from the merger of English Electric, Vickers-Armstrongs, and Bristol Aeroplane Company, becoming a major UK aerospace manufacturer. #aviation #history
Chronological Storyline (37 Milestones)
1963 CE
Hawker Siddeley Group Expansion
Hawker Siddeley Group completes merger of de Havilland, Blackburn, and Avro, becoming a leading British aerospace and engineering group. #aviation #history
By Hawker Siddeley - Drawn by Andrew Arthur 2005 using XaraX software., PD, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3095938
Apr 29, 1977 CE
British Aerospace Nationalized
British Aerospace (BAe) created as a nationalized company through the merger of British Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics, and Scottish Aviation. #aviation #defense
1981 CE
BAe Privatization Begins
The UK government sells a majority stake in British Aerospace, beginning the privatization process. #defense #business
1985 CE
Launch of Eurofighter Typhoon Program
BAe joins the Eurofighter consortium to develop the Typhoon, a multirole fighter aircraft that becomes a core product. #aviation #military
By Chris Lofting - http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Eurofighter-EF-2000-Typhoon/1189137/L/, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20654565
1986 CE
BAe Acquires Royal Ordnance
British Aerospace purchases Royal Ordnance, the UK's state-owned munitions manufacturer, expanding into land systems. #defense #acquisition
1990 CE
BAe Acquires Rover Group
British Aerospace purchases the Rover Group from the UK government, a move into automotive that later proves unsuccessful. #automotive #business
1991 CE
Gulf War Boosts Orders
The Gulf War leads to increased demand for BAe's Tornado aircraft and other defense systems. #military #conflict
By US Air Force - Source, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2782935
1994 CE
BAe Sells Rover Group
British Aerospace sells Rover Group to BMW, exiting the automotive industry to focus on defense. #automotive #divestment
1997 CE
BAe Acquires Siemens Plessey
British Aerospace acquires the defense electronics business Siemens Plessey, bolstering its electronic warfare capabilities. #defense #electronics
Nov 30, 1999 CE
BAE Systems Formed by Merger
British Aerospace merges with Marconi Electronic Systems to form BAE Systems, creating a global defense giant. #defense #merger
2000 CE
BAE Systems Listed on London Stock Exchange
BAE Systems shares begin trading, with the company becoming a FTSE 100 constituent. #finance #stockmarket
2001 CE
Astute Class Submarine Program
BAE Systems begins construction of the Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy. #navy #submarine
By LA(Phot) Will Haigh - Crop of filename 45154670.jpg, object name NE120447107 from http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5042&search=(IPTC005%20contains(NE120447107)), OGL v1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23537016
2004 CE
QS 2040 Future Aircraft Carrier Design
BAE Systems wins contract to design the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy. #navy #shipbuilding
By Petty Officer Photographer Jay Allen - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/may/20/210520-carriers-at-sea-and-strike-warrior, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=105562576
Jun 24, 2005 CE
Acquisition of United Defense Industries
BAE Systems acquires United Defense Industries for $4.2 billion, gaining major US land systems capability. #defense #acquisition
By Unknown author - en:Image:United Defense.png, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42940106
2006 CE
BAE Systems Opens UAV Facility
BAE Systems opens a new facility dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development in the UK. #drones #technology
May 14, 2007 CE
Acquisition of Armor Holdings
BAE Systems acquires Armor Holdings, a US-based military vehicle and body armor manufacturer, for $4.1 billion. #defense #acquisition
Oct 1, 2008 CE
BAE Systems Wins Typhoon Export Deal
BAE Systems secures a major export order for Eurofighter Typhoons to Saudi Arabia, part of the Al Salam program. #exports #aviation
2009 CE
BAE Systems Inc. Headquarters in Virginia
BAE Systems Inc., the US subsidiary, establishes headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, becoming a major US defense contractor. #usa #defense
2010 CE
Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier Launched
The first Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier is launched, built by a consortium led by BAE Systems. #navy #shipbuilding )
By Dave Jenkins - InfoGibraltar - https://www.flickr.com/photos/infogibraltar/28386226189/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68080871
2011 CE
BAE Systems Acquires Sensis Corporation
BAE Systems buys Sensis Corporation, a US air traffic control and sensor company, to strengthen its electronic systems portfolio. #defense #acquisition
Sep 19, 2012 CE
Contract for Type 26 Frigate Design
BAE Systems awarded a £4 billion contract to design and build the Type 26 Global Combat Ship for the Royal Navy. #navy #shipbuilding
By Ian Dick from Glasgow, UK - HMS Glasgow, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127295484
2013 CE
BAE Systems Wins F-35 Work
BAE Systems becomes a key supplier for the F-35 Lightning II, producing aft fuselage sections and other components. #aviation #military
By U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen - http://www.dvidshub.net/image/935698/aerial-refueling-f-35-lightning-ii-joint-strike-fighters-eglin-afb-fla#.UZyEMrVU8QY, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49689165
2014 CE
BAE Systems Opens Cyberwarfare Center
BAE Systems establishes a new cyberwarfare and intelligence center in the UK to provide cyber defense services. #cybersecurity #defense
2015 CE
Tempest Future Combat Air System Announced
BAE Systems unveils the Tempest concept for a sixth-generation fighter, leading the UK's future air power strategy. #aviation #futuretech
Nov 3, 2016 CE
Sale of BAE Systems' Australian Shipyard
BAE Systems sells its Williamstown shipyard in Australia to SembMarine as part of restructuring. #divestment #shipbuilding
Dec 15, 2017 CE
Type 26 Frigate Construction Begins
First steel cut for the Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow, at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard. #navy #shipbuilding )
2018 CE
BAE Systems Invests in Additive Manufacturing
BAE Systems invests in 3D printing facilities for aircraft parts, reducing production costs and lead times. #manufacturing #technology
Nov 27, 2019 CE
BAE Systems Fully Acquired by BAE Systems PLC
BAE Systems completes the internal acquisition of its US subsidiary, consolidating ownership. #corporate #finance
2020 CE
BAE Systems Develops Autonomous Vehicle Tech
BAE Systems demonstrates autonomous military vehicles, including the Viking and IRVIN 6x6, for future warfare. #autonomous #military
Mar 31, 2021 CE
BAE Systems Wins UK Space Command Bid
BAE Systems selected as a partner for UK Space Command, growing its space and satellite capabilities. #space #defense
By Charliehaines - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144457737
Feb 10, 2022 CE
BAE Systems Acquires Bohemia Interactive Simulations
BAE Systems buys Bohemia Interactive Simulations, a leader in military simulation software, for about $200 million. #acquisition #simulation
By Bohemia Interactive - https://www.bohemia.net/blog/bohemia-interactive-logo-facelift-2021, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78110204
Sep 7, 2022 CE
BAE Systems Wins $8 Billion UK Warship Contract
BAE Systems awarded a $8 billion contract to build five more Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. #navy #shipbuilding
May 22, 2023 CE
BAE Systems Launches 'APEX' Rapid Prototyping
BAE Systems announces the APEX rapid prototyping center to accelerate development of defense technologies. #technology #innovation
Oct 9, 2023 CE
BAE Systems Acquires Collins Aerospace's Military GPS Business
BAE Systems buys Collins Aerospace's military GPS business for $1.3 billion to enhance precision navigation capabilities. #acquisition #defense
Jan 30, 2024 CE
BAE Systems Reports Record Order Book
BAE Systems announces a record order book of over £60 billion, driven by global defense spending increases. #finance #defense
2024 CE
BAE Systems Expands in Ukraine
BAE Systems opens an office in Ukraine and announces partnership to repair and maintain military equipment. #ukraine #defense