Not quite cutting it: A sketch for Mustard– the multi-unit space transport and recovery device – that would split into three separate delta-winged sections which would return to Earth (Picture: BAE Systems)

They are top secret designs that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Thunderbirds.

The reusable hypersonic rocket, a Jeep that jumps over battlefield obstructions and a vertical take-off airliner for busy city centre airports have been gathering dust for the past 50 years…until now.

Adapt and overcome: The jumping Jeep was capable of leaping over enemy barriers on the battlefield using 12 adjustable fans (Picture: BAE Systems)

BAE systems has released a series of designs from the 1960s that never got off the ground.

The aviation and defence giant has also created animations to show what the prototypes would have looked like in action.


Providing a boost: The fighter jet take-off platform would rise from the ground and allow aircraft to launch from its back (Picture: BAE Systems)

It coincides with the opening of a new centre to celebrate BAE’s heritage at its military aircraft factory in Warton, Lancashire.



The designs were originally produced by engineers in BAE Systems’ predecessor companies.

Straight-up: The intercity vertical-lift aircraft design was intended for commercial use and to save space in densely populated cities (Picture: BAE Systems)

These include English Electric, Hawker Siddeley and the British Aircraft Corporation.

Howard Mason, heritage manager at BAE Systems said ‘Aircraft and vehicle engineering involves producing and analysing literally thousands of iterations.

‘Whilst today the process is speeded up through the use of computer modelling, it’s fascinating to look through our archives and see what engineers were working on at that time.’

To view the full range of designs online visit, www.youtube.com/user/baesystemsplc