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Propulsion challenges Universities and research institutes in the U.K. are playing an ever-growing role in EU aerospace development projects as well as maintaining an independent industry workload.

Automation leads advances in aerospace composites usage Increased productivity is the focus of today's automation for composites made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics.

Simulation solves C5 cargo door problem Dynamic analysis software allows engineers to solve fatigue-related problems without prototypes. UAV development Although unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been employed successfully by the U.S. military to date, many development and operational challenges remain for these to become viable alternatives for manned aircraft. Aircraft engine testing: the test tig developer Engineers at Belcan's Advanced Engineering & Technology Division share their insights and experiences on the development of aircraft gas turbine test rigs and stands. This is the first installment of a three-part series on aircraft engine testing. Looking back at factory automation The ability to improve quality while substantially reducing the cost of production and span times is becoming a necessity to complete in today's aerospace industry.

Focusing on the process Lean practices aim at changing the way managers, engineers, and assembly workers view their jobs. This first installment in a two-part series on lean manufacturing focuses on the principles that make up this production philosophy. Smoothing the path to laminar flow control Researchers at Cranfield College of Aeronautics are studying laminar flow control technology with the particular target of enhancing Airbus aircraft technology for the 21st century. Maintaining electrical protection on the 777 A scheduled maintenance program is essential for aircraft protection against high-intensity radiated fields and lightning.

Cabin window design The expanded operating conditions of the Gulfstream V aircraft required engineers to redesign the cabin window to provide for a longer service life, lighter weight, and improved functionality. European wind tunnels This first in a two-part series on global wind tunnel use and capabilities investigates several European research organizations' facilities.

Universal Avionics provides vision The avionics supplier looks to improve pilot situational awareness of surrounding terrain with its new synthetic-vision technology. Enhancing awareness in the cockpit The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory studies the technology trends and issues regarding head-up synthetic vision displays. Preparing for the next wave of air traffic The FAA, NASA, and air-traffic-management system suppliers look to step up efforts and technology developments to enhance capacity of the National Air Space system.

From motorsports to aerospace Pi Research brings its motorsports digital data-acquisition technology to the aerospace industry. New testing solutions Aerospace Engineering editors review the latest testing products, equipment, and technologies from the idustry's suppliers. The world of business jet technology "Aerospace Engineering" provides an overview of new business jets and the technological innovations that make them fly in the first installment of a two part series. Dassault adds another Falcon The Falcon 7X featurs a host of new technologies, including an advanced wing design, making it Dassault's next-generation business jet. Eclipse makes business jets affordable New manufacturing techniques and high-volume approaches are enabling Eclipse to bring an affordable aircraft to the business jet market. Cessna establishes its Sovereignty The company finalizes development of the Sovereign and prepares it for FAA certification, which is expected late this year.

The dawn of the jet age: the first 10 years One of the ironies of aviation history is that the most obvious potential power source for a fixed-wing aircraft was barely considered by the early pioneers. Airflow simulation for winglets Embraer engineers used CFD to visualize flow patterns around wings for a design retrofit. Aircraft-engine-mounting analysis Engineers from Honeywell adapted a rapid analysis approach to develop and validate a complex propulsion system. Reshaping F-16 production Following its contract with the Joint Strike Fighter program, Lockheed Martin is reconfiguring its F-16 assembly line in preparation for long-term JSF production starting later this year.

Le Bourget trends and issues The 45th Paris Air Show will provide industry players a gathering place to discuss the past, present, and future after two years of seemingly non-stop challenges to the industry. Working on the floor Automated data-capture technologies can obtain, validate, and process time, labor, and other information for improved productivity and efficiency in aerospace manufacturing. Space-age materials A team of researchers are studying the properties of cosmic rays to gain a better understanding of the radiation environment encountered during space travel. Avionics testing IFR has designed a new navigation communications ramp test set to replace its industry-standard workhorse.

Flying safer Software is being designed to predict pending failures, warn pilots, and maybe even fly the plane. CMM + laser probe = complete inspection Sonaca gave up its manual inspection methods in favor of a digital approach to save time- and money. A rounded view of fibers The use of fibers for aerospace gyroscope applications- notably inertial navigation and platform stabilization- is common now, but it was not always so. Piston engine propulsion SAE 100 Future look: As the propulsion industry looks to the future, the barriers remain challenging, the drivers more critical, but the innovations more promising. What's downstream in turbine technology SAE 100 Future look: Gas turbine machines-aviations, industrial, and vehicular- are versatile and cost-effective machines used for the provision of electricity, mechanical load power, and propulsion.

Global technologies Much of the excitement surrounding such aircraft as the point-to-point 787, hub-to-hub A380, and 7X business jet is due to the application of new technologies. Engineering a career With an impending shortage of aerospace engineers, industry and academia team to mold future engineering talent for an increasingly global environment. Taking research to the bank Behind the doors of BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Center. Testing toward perfection In a competitive global market, commercial aircraft need to be lighter, faster to market, cheaper to build, easier to maintain, and safer than ever.

Advanced materials for manufacturability The big three- aluminum, titanium, and composites- duke it out in the sky. Automation makes big advances Aircraft manufacturers continue to adopt new technologies that improve efficiency, speed up production, and reduce worker injuries. Electric braking debuts in military and commercial applications SAE 100 Future look: Goodrich led the development of electromechanical aircraft braking with a highly focused team of experts from three divisions within the company, each working in their own fields of expertise: braking performance, electronic controls, and electromechanical acutators (EAs). Looking into the future with NDT SAE 100 Future look: The need for systemized inspection inthe aircraft industry did not arise until the dramatic increase in air travel that took place in the late 1940s. Electronic warfare SAE 100 Future look: Today's combat aircraft commonly use electronic warfare (EW) receivers and jammers for self protection.

Full throttle for engine solutions Powering aircraft from Mach 2 fighters to tiny hovering UAVs, military engine technology is now operating on a very broad front. Design and production flexibility together with reduced in-service costs are priorities. To the breaking point Test engineers use new rigs and data-acquisition equipment on the latest generation of pneumatics, engines, and airframes. PCs move into the cockpit Pilot training is getting a bit less expensive with the introduction of more portable flight simulations.

Materials mature The growth of air travel has always been dependent on the development of materials technology for structures and engines. Keeping track of production Aircraft manufacturers are making greater use of RFID and bar code technology, while also using new software that helps them keep production lines running smoothly. Breaking records via fuel management Onboard sensors reported lower-than-expectedfuel-tank readings not far into the around-the-world flight of the GlobalFlyer, jeopardizing the entire mission.

Paperless planes inch closer to reality Multifunction digital technologies help clean up cockpits. Budgeting for the future Rolls-Royce spends more than $3 million a day-$1.1 billion a year- on research and development. Top technologies of the year A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations in the news during the past year.

Cockpit transformation: to the looking glass The changeover to glass cockpits continues to evolve, as system developers devise strategies to give pilots lots of information in easy-to-understand formats. Older-older vs. newer-older: room for both Engine upgrades are expected to provide sufficient return on investment within a reasonable period of time. Top Technologies of the year A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year.

Hypersonic possibilities When it comes to reviving high-speed air travel, it all comes down to propulsion, propulsion, propulsion. Shrinking electronics help fuel rising usage Integration helps UAVs carry more sensors and send data faster, making unmanned aircraft more valuable. A greener flight path 'Eco-efficient Innovation Leading the Future of Aviation' is the theme of SAE's 2011 AeroTech conference to be held OCt. 18-21 in Toulouse, France. Manufacturing advanced materials A look at some of the challenges of additive layer manufacturing, as well as the advantages it brings to the aerospace industry.

Tearing down the global barriers Steering systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated, as Ian Adcock discovers when talking to the men leading Nexteer's European expansion €1.1 billion worth of Bentley luxury Bentley's Bentayga is the first in a new generation of luxury cross-overs. Ian Adcock reveals its engineering secrets Goal: "virtual" perfection Should simulations be 100% accurate?

Increasing the hydroforming knowledge base Tube hydroforming has become a viable economic alternative to various stamping and welding processes in automotive applications. Controlling two-stroke engine emissions With the constant rich operation of two-stroke engines, common design criteria for three-way catalysts fail. DaimlerChrysler technical symposium A year after the merger that created the new corporation, engineers from both groups came together to present a unified technical symposium to review the future direction of the new organization. Here are some highlights of the more significant technical developments. Vertical complex-shape headlamp reflectors Another improvement in lighting technology gives designers increased flexibility in vehicle appearance with no loss in lighting performance. Advances in static and dynamic exhaust system seating Major redesign, combined with minor improvements in simple details, returns significant benefits in sealing.

E-business: the new game in town With the initial formation of Covisint in February 2000, and with other online ventures established over the past couple of years, the automotive industry has thrown its chips into the B2B e-commerce game. The following is an update on how the industry is faring now that its cards are on the table. Simulation: redefining the development process Just as companies sought to shorten the development cycle with intergrated product teams, they do so again with up-front computer-aided analysis and simulation. New connections for automobiles Thanks to innovative technologies and applications, flexible circuitry is helping drive new trends, such as modularity, in automotive design, according to Sheldahl. NAIAS highlights: production Since becoming an international event in 1989, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit has hosted 620 North American and worldwide vehicle introductions.