Technologies
Every technology has a historical year. Researching ahead costs more; falling behind lets you catch up more cheaply through diffusion. From 2027 all technologies are speculative – design decisions, not predictions.
Industry 16 technologies
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2003Hybrid Drivetrain
Vehicle plants can build hybrid vehicles with higher output.
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2004Composite Materials
Chemical plants produce more plastics; required for stealth fighters and 3D printing.
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2005Cement Co-processing
Cement plants replace most of their coal with alternative fuels.
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2008Mining Automation
Iron and copper mines extract much more with fewer workers.
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2012Electric Vehicles
Vehicle plants build battery-electric cars instead of combustion models.
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2013Additive Manufacturing
Machinery plants print parts and raise their output considerably.
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2015Industry 4.0
Connected production for steel, chemicals, machinery, electronics and textiles.
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2016Collaborative Robots
Consumer goods factories produce more with fewer workers using cobots.
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2017Battery Gigafactories
Battery factories mass-produce more cells per level.
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2018Digital Twins
Simulated plants raise machinery (+5%) and chemical plant (+3%) output.
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2030Hydrogen Direct Reductionspeculative
Steel mills can make steel with hydrogen instead of coal.
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2031Inert Anode Aluminiumspeculative
Aluminium smelters need less power and produce more.
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2033Autonomous Vehiclesspeculative
Vehicle plants build autonomous vehicles with the highest output.
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2034Humanoid Robotsspeculative
Consumer goods factories produce far more with few workers using general-purpose robots.
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2035Circular Materialsspeculative
Aluminium smelters process scrap with a fraction of the bauxite and power.
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2046Lights-Out Factoriesspeculative
Fully automated production raises all goods production by 2%.
Energy 24 technologies
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2004Deepwater Drilling
Oil fields can produce more crude with deepwater technology.
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2004Multi-Megawatt Wind Turbines
Onshore wind parks deliver a quarter more power per level.
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2005Biofuels
Refineries can blend in crops and use less crude oil.
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2006Generation III Reactors
Nuclear plants generate more power with less uranium.
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2006LNG Shipping
Ports can operate as LNG terminals with higher output.
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2006Ultra-Supercritical Coal
Coal power plants need a sixth less coal per unit of power.
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2008Hydraulic Fracturing
Oil and gas fields can produce much more through fracking.
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2010Cheap Photovoltaics
Renewable parks can run as solar farms with more power.
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2010Lithium-Ion Mass Production
Allows battery factories and lithium mines.
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2012Offshore Wind
Renewable parks can run as offshore wind farms with more power.
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2014Smart Grids
Digital grid control raises renewable park output by 5%.
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2015HVDC Transmission
Remote hydro and wind become more usable (+5% hydro, +3% renewables).
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2018Battery Storage
Renewable parks with storage deliver much more usable power.
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2019Floating LNG
Gas fields produce more gas with floating liquefaction plants.
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2020High-Efficiency Solar
Solar farms deliver more power with PERC and bifacial modules.
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2028Green Hydrogenspeculative
Allows electrolysers and ammonia from hydrogen instead of natural gas.
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2029Sodium-Ion Batteriesspeculative
Battery factories can make cells without any lithium.
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2030Floating Offshore Windspeculative
Renewable parks reach deep waters and deliver more power.
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2030Solid-State Batteriesspeculative
Battery factories produce more cells with less lithium.
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2031Perovskite Tandem Solarspeculative
Solar farms deliver the highest yield with tandem cells.
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2032Small Modular Reactorsspeculative
Nuclear plants generate more power with fewer workers using modular reactors.
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2034Enhanced Geothermalspeculative
Allows geothermal plants that deliver baseload power without fuel.
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2045Experimental Fusionspeculative
Experimental reactors speed up research by 3%; required for fusion power plants.
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2050Fusion Demonstration Plantspeculative
Allows fusion power plants with very high power output.
Electronics and AI 21 technologies
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2002Broadband Internet
Unlocks digital services and speeds up research by 3%.
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2004Mobile Broadband (3G)
Mobile data raises the output of service centres by 3%.
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2005Flat-Panel Displays
Electronics factories can build flat-panel devices with higher output.
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2006Immersion Lithography
Semiconductor fabs reach finer nodes and more output per level.
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2007GPU Computing
Parallel computing on graphics chips speeds up research by 2%.
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2007Smartphones and Cloud
Unlocks smartphone production, the platform economy and e-commerce.
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2011FinFET Process Node
Semiconductor fabs make modern chips with much higher output.
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2011LTE Mobile Networks (4G)
Fast mobile internet raises service productivity growth.
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2012Hyperscale Data Centres
Allows data centres that produce services with lots of power and few workers.
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2013Deep Learning
Deep neural networks speed up research by 3%.
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2015Internet of Things
Connected sensors raise all goods production by 0.5%.
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2016AI Accelerators
Semiconductor fabs can make AI chips with higher output.
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2019EUV Lithography
Semiconductor fabs reach leading-edge nodes with high output.
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20205G Mobile Networks
Raises service productivity growth and military coordination.
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2022Large Language Models
Data centres offer AI services; research becomes 5% faster.
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2025Gate-All-Around Transistors
Semiconductor fabs reach the 2 nm class with the highest output.
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2030AI Agents in Industry and Administrationspeculative
Unlocks AI-run electronics production and AI-driven services.
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20326G Mobile Networksspeculative
Raises service productivity growth and military coordination.
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2040General AI Assistancespeculative
General AI assistants speed up research by 10%.
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2045Quantum Computing Applicationsspeculative
Speeds up research by 5% and chemical plants by 3% (molecular simulation).
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2048Autonomous AI Researchspeculative
Self-directed research AI speeds up research by 10%.
Infrastructure 12 technologies
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2005RFID and Telematics Logistics
Transport hubs track shipments electronically and deliver more.
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2006Ultra-Large Container Ships
Ports handle more cargo with fewer workers thanks to ultra-large ships.
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2008Automated Container Terminals
Ports operate with a fraction of the staff.
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2008High-Speed Rail Expansion
Transport hubs shift traffic to electric high-speed rail and save fuel.
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2014Digital Logistics
Transport hubs deliver more with fewer workers through digital control.
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2017Arctic Shipping
Ice-class ships raise port output by 5%.
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2018Smart Cities
Connected infrastructure raises stability and transport hub output.
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2032Climate Adaptation Infrastructurespeculative
Dykes and water management raise stability and harvests.
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2034Autonomous Freightspeculative
Transport hubs deliver the most with autonomous trucks and trains.
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2038Arctic Corridorspeculative
Year-round Arctic routes raise port output by 10%.
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2040Supergridspeculative
A continental grid raises power generation (+3%) and renewables (+5%).
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2047Superconducting Gridsspeculative
Low-loss transmission raises power generation by 5%.
Agriculture 12 technologies
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2003Genetically Modified Crops
Farms get higher yields with less fertiliser from resistant varieties.
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2005Industrial Aquaculture
Allows coastal fish farms as an additional food source.
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2005Precision Agriculture
Satellite-guided farms produce more food with fewer workers.
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2012Drought-Resistant Crops
Farms get higher yields even in droughts.
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2015Recirculating Aquaculture
Fish farms run closed loops with higher yields.
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2016Agricultural Drones
Field-monitoring drones raise farm output by 3%.
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2019Gene-Edited Crops
Farms achieve the highest yields of the epoch with gene-edited varieties.
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2030Vertical Farmingspeculative
Farms can grow under artificial light with lots of power and little land.
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2032Autonomous Farm Machineryspeculative
Farms become highly productive with few workers using field robots.
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2033Precision Fermentationspeculative
Proteins from fermentation raise food production by 4%.
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2036Solar Desalination and Irrigationspeculative
Irrigating dry land raises farm output and stability.
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2048Synthetic Biology Foundriesspeculative
Programmed microbes raise food and chemicals by 3% each.
Medicine 14 technologies
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2003Genomics
Genome data raises the output of pharmaceutical plants by 5%.
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2005Biologics
Pharmaceutical plants can make high-value biologics.
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2008Electronic Health Records
Better health care slightly raises stability.
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2010Next-Generation Sequencing
Cheap genome analysis raises pharmaceutical plant output by 3%.
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2016Gene Editing (CRISPR)
A new lab tool speeds up research by 1%; required for gene therapies and new crops.
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2020mRNA Platform
Pharmaceutical plants can make mRNA drugs with higher output.
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2020Telemedicine
Remote medical care slightly raises stability.
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2021AI Protein Structure Prediction
Speeds up research by 2% and raises pharmaceutical plant output by 3%.
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2024Gene Therapy
Pharmaceutical plants can make high-value gene therapies.
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2028AI Diagnosticsspeculative
Slightly raises stability and pharmaceutical plant output by 3%.
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2030Personalised Medicinespeculative
Pharmaceutical plants make tailored high-value therapies.
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2035Universal Vaccinesspeculative
Broadly protective vaccines raise stability by 2 points.
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2042Longevity Therapeuticsspeculative
Healthier ageing raises stability and pharmaceutical production.
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2048Regenerative Medicinespeculative
Replacement tissue and organs raise stability by 2 points.
Administration 9 technologies
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2005E-Government
Online public services raise tax efficiency by 2 points.
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2006Biometric Passports
Secure identity documents slightly raise stability.
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2011National Cyber Defence
Protecting critical networks slightly raises stability and military coordination.
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2012Digital Identity
Electronic IDs raise tax efficiency by 2 points.
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2016Big-Data Administration
Data analysis raises tax efficiency by 2 points and slightly raises stability.
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2019E-Invoicing
Mandatory e-invoices close tax gaps: +3 points tax efficiency.
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2030Post-Quantum Cryptographyspeculative
Quantum-safe networks raise stability and military coordination.
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2031AI Public Administrationspeculative
AI agents in government: +3 points tax efficiency and more stability.
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2047AI Governancespeculative
Raises stability and tax efficiency by 2 points each.
Finance 10 technologies
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2001Online Banking
Digital banking raises the output of service centres by 2%.
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2003Electronic Trading
Fully electronic markets raise the output of service centres by 2%.
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2004Structured Finance
Securitisation slightly boosts the service sector (+0.5%).
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2006Microfinance
Small loans for households and micro-businesses slightly raise stability.
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2011Macroprudential Regulation
Stricter bank supervision raises stability by 2 points.
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2012Mobile Payments
Digital payments improve tax collection and service centre output.
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2015Green Finance
Cheap capital for renewables raises their output by 5%.
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2016Fintech Platforms
Digital financial services slightly boost the service sector (+0.5%).
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2029Central Bank Digital Currencyspeculative
Digital cash raises tax efficiency by 2 points.
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2034AI Risk Managementspeculative
AI-supported financial supervision raises stability and boosts services.
Space 11 technologies
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2000Precise Satellite Navigation
Metre-level navigation raises the output of transport hubs by 3%.
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2001Commercial Earth Observation
High-resolution satellite imagery improves military coordination.
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2014Small Satellite Constellations
Daily satellite imagery improves military coordination.
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2016Multi-GNSS Navigation
Centimetre-level navigation raises farm output by 2%.
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2017Reusable Rockets
Space centres launch much more cheaply with reusable rockets.
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2021Satellite Megaconstellations
Satellite internet raises service growth and military coordination.
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2029Crewed Lunar Landersspeculative
A lunar programme speeds up research by 2%.
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2038Orbital Manufacturingspeculative
Crystals grown in microgravity raise semiconductor fab output by 5%.
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2042Lunar Outpostspeculative
A permanent lunar station speeds up research by 3%.
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2049Quantum Internetspeculative
Tap-proof communication improves coordination and service growth.
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2050Asteroid Prospectingspeculative
New sources raise rare earth extraction by 10%.
Land Forces 17 technologies
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2002Thermal Imaging Sights
Armour fights at night too: +5% attack.
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2003Network-Centric Warfare
Unlocks networked weapon systems and improves coordination by 5%.
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2004Modern Infantry Equipment
Body armour and night vision: +10% infantry defence.
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2005Precision-Guided Artillery
Munitions plants can make precision munitions with higher output.
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2006Counter-Insurgency Doctrine
Infantry attacks more effectively (+5%) and coordination improves slightly.
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2007MRAP Protection
Mechanised infantry gains +10% defence.
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2012Active Protection Systems
Armoured units gain +15% defence.
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2014Battlefield Management Systems
Digital command systems improve coordination by 3%.
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2015Loitering Munition
Allows raising drone battalions.
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2022Counter-Drone Systems
Air defence gains +10% and all units +3% defence.
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2025Drone Swarms
Drone battalions gain +20% attack.
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2025Unmanned Turret
Armoured units gain +10% attack.
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2030Directed-Energy Air Defencespeculative
Laser weapons give air defence units +15% defence.
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2032Robotic Combat Vehiclesspeculative
Allows robotic brigades and robotic arms production.
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2035AI Battle Commandspeculative
AI situational awareness improves coordination by 5%.
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2038Hybrid-Drive Armourspeculative
Armoured units gain +5% attack and defence.
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2050Autonomous Formationsspeculative
Allows autonomous brigades with high combat power and few personnel.
Air Forces 13 technologies
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2001Precision Air Munitions
Fighter wings hit more accurately: +10% attack.
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2002Armed Drones
Allows raising armed drone squadrons.
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2005Fifth-Generation Fighters
Fighter wings gain +15% attack and +10% defence.
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2006AESA Radar
Better sensors for fighter wings (+5% attack) and air defence (+5% defence).
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2007Long-Range Air Defence
Air defence units gain +15% defence.
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2015Fifth-Generation Multirole Fighters
Sensor fusion: +10% fighter wing attack and better coordination.
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2016Tactical Armed Drones
Armed drone squadrons gain +20% attack.
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2017Layered Air Defence
Air defence gains +10% and all units +2% defence.
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2020Hypersonic Strike Weapons
Hard-to-intercept missiles: +4% attack for all units.
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2030Loyal Wingmanspeculative
Allows squadrons of uncrewed wingman aircraft.
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2040Sixth-Generation Fightersspeculative
Fighter wings gain +20% attack and +10% defence.
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2045Hypersonic Missile Defencespeculative
Air defence units gain +15% defence.
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2049Swarm Air Combatspeculative
Armed drones (+20%) and loyal wingman squadrons (+10%) attack harder.
Data from the current build (content.json). Cost in research points; in the game more expensive when researching ahead, cheaper when behind.