BAe, or British Aerospace, was a major aerospace and defense company in the United Kingdom. Established in 1977, it played a significant role in the design and manufacture of military and civilian aircraft, as well as spacecraft. BAe was known for its contributions to various projects, including the Eurofighter Typhoon and the BAe 146 regional airliner. In 1999, BAe merged with Marconi Electronic Systems to form BAE Systems, which is now one of the world's largest defense contractors. The company continues to provide advanced technology and services in areas such as cyber security, naval systems, and land warfare.