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Military engines: cost and capability Industry experts provide a glimpse out at the 2020 vision of military propulsion. Manufacturing propellers Dowty Propellers uses a secure data-logging system for its fabrication process.

Fastener industry on fast track of change Technologies developed for fastening of metal aerospace parts are being transferred for bonding of composite parts. Moving toward sensor standardization One of the challenges facing aerospace developers is getting accurate test data from the many sensors used to monitor performance, simplifying setup and calibration. Wing design opens the envelope Technology presented at ACE describes a design process for a lightweight wing with an aerodynamic shape that is optimal for a large part of the cruise flight.

The growth of an industry This second of a three-part series highlighting the centennial of flight focuses on how World War I and II changed the face of aviation technology. Portable test system Boeing uses VXI via KineticSystems to achieve greater dependability, accuracy, and efficiency in its digital distortion analyzer for propulsion systems. Fire-resistant composites for engine nacelles Engineers from Boeing treated fiberglass/polyimide and graphite/polyimide laminates with various phosphorylated polymers to obtain fire-resistant resins for use in harsh environments. Accelerating the design process The use of desktop analysis software can lead to a faster and more efficient process for the design and manufacture of aerospace components, according to SolidWorks.

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.

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.

Closer to completion The International Space Station proves to be an ongoing engineering experiment with an ultimate goal of becoming a human space-living reality. High-speed interconnects An industry expert from Tyco Electronics explores emerging electronics applications in the aerospace and defense markets that involve the transfer of large volumes of high-speed data. Collaboration software Interactive product development tools are now widely available, and they can decrease design time and cast, improve quality, and help generate new business. Introducing Dr. Jack E. Thompson, SAE President for 2003 A change agent with early roots in the automotive industry gets in the Society's driver's seat for 2003.

Launching technology EADS is propelling itself as a high-tech cost saver. Coping with engine emissions Pratt & Whitney addresses both noise- and pollutant- emissions concerns in both its new and current engine platforms. Collaborating with the enemy Most aerospace firms have found it necessary or even essential to partner with their competitors to remain in key markets and activities.

EADS aerospace technology Europe's aerospace giant is focusing its research and development activities on more economical, safer. cleaner, and quieter technologies. Farnborough highlights Following is a brief synopsis of some of the technologies and partnerships that were announced at July's Farnborough Air Show. Look for more extensive coverage in future issues. Educating engineers Academia and employers alike area attempting to equip aerospace engineers with a skill set more varied than just technical know-how through hands-on experience and career-long training.

Next-generation space transportation NASA narrows its search for a successor to the Space Shuttle. Air-traffic-control modernization "Aerospace Engineering" provides an update of the latest air-traffic management activities taking place in the U.S. and China. Aircraft undercarriage concept Engineers at SUS21 Co. Inc. and the Kyoto Institute of Technology have developed an aircraft suspension system that features shock isolation to reduce abrupt deceleration and impact force on aircraft wheels. Simulating Superplastic forming BAE Systems' engineers developed modeling tools and techniques to optimize superplastic forming of titanium structures.

The future of aircraft manufacturing Engineers from Vought Aircraft offer insight into the challenges, trends, and techniques that aerospace manufacturers will have to consider for maintaining a viable manufacturing environment. High-speed spindles for aircraft manufacturing Aerospace companies such as Boeing and AHF-Ducommun have employed various high-speed spindles from Precise to improve machining accuracy and finish of aerospace components. Making advanced composites Lockheed Martin Space Systems explores several methods to improve quality and reduce costs. Turbine blade machining To ensure more efficient grinding of its turbine blades, Rolls-Royce installed Midwest Engineered Products' CentraSep centrifuge for automatic filtering of cutting oil.

Safeguarding aircraft systems How several systems suppliers, airframers, and researchers have approached the need for increased system safeguards and protection against lightning strikes. One last look back A review of the technology news, discussions, and announcements from the first Aerospace Congress & Exhibition held September 10-13 in Seattle, WA. Powering unmanned aircraft Pratt & Whitney Canada is developing and testing a commercial turbofan engine derivative for high-altitude unmanned air vehicle applications. 737-800 winglet integration A joint venture between Boeing and Aviation Partners Inc. is involved in developing a performance improvement for in-service aircraft.

Quality through closed-loop manufacturing Pratt & Whitney has employed automated part probing as part of its manufacturing process to provide final inspection, data collection and analysis, and process adjustment. A virtual fighter The Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. use SGI's Origin 2000 servers and Silicon Graphics Onyx2 visual supercomputers to design their respective Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) demonstrators virtually. Modular aerospace controls Honeywell investigates a commercial off-the-shelf approach to the automated generation of safety-critical software for distributed control systems. Automated fuselage mating Brotje-Automation GmbH has developed an automated alignment facility designed to accurately position and align major aircraft fuselage sections.

Wanted: aerospace engineers There are many different viewpoints on the state of engineering employment in the aerospace industry. "Aerospace Engineering" editors spoke with airframers, suppliers, and academics to get their perspectives on recruiting and retaining engineering talent. Understanding the shape-variable fowler flap DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and the German Aerospace Center have begun studying the concept of a shape-variable fowler flap for an Airbus transport aircraft such as the A340. Thin-film coatings technology NIST's Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory continues its research to gain better understanding of the mechanical properties of thin-film aerospace applications. Managing knowledge SDRC provides a customized product knowledge management solution for the aerospace industry.

Introducing Neil Schilke, SAE President for 2001 General Motors' former top engineer brings a systems engineering mentality, along with high expectations, to the SAE presidency. ISS beginning to shape up Since the addition of the Zvezda Service Module, assembly activities on the International Space Station have been ramped up to meet the program's completion goal of 2006. Maintaining the space station International Space Station partners will face many challenges once assembly is complete- one of which is the maintenance and upkeep of this new satellite. E-commerce taking off Still in its infancy, e-commerce is expected to have a major impact on aviation companies from all segments of the supply chain.

All go for browser launch The Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems, and Raytheon Co. follow in the footsteps of the Big Three automakers in seeking to establish a single Internet portal for conducting business-to-business e-commerce. The journey to more electric In anticipation of the increased use of electronics in place of hydraulic systems, TRW Aeronautical Systems is developing new system architectures and technologies for a "more electric" aircraft. Taking the flight path to improvement Using lean principles and innovative technology, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. strives to better its manufacturing processes by reducing cost, waste, and assembly time.

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.

Looking to new aircraft configurations Researchers at Cranfield University's College of Aeronautics discuss the needs and benefits of studying different aircraft configurations such as the blended-wing body. Leading edge deicing Shape memory alloys, which can be trained to generate a compressive strain upon application of an electric current, show promise for deicing applications.

New Engineering Software Solutions Several software products will begin the new millennium with a few new enhancements along with others that continue to provide good functionality and capability to engineers. Building a space station In the wake of recent delays in the launch of the Russian Service Module, the International Space Station partners diligently continue with assembly plans for this massive satellite. As the station is prepared for its first crew, "Aerospace Engineering" looks ahead to the remaining assembly tasks planned for this year. Introducing Dr. Rodica A. Baranescu, SAE President for the year 2000 Had her father gotten his way, Rodica Baranescu would now have a successful physician's practice and enough spare time to entertain audiences with her musical talents. Imagine his reaction when a young Rodica declared that what she was more interested in doing when she grew up was ballooning over Africa.

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.