The U.S. Air Force awarded Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace with an exclusive $1,036,726,575 performance-based sustainment contract to provide end-to-end logistics support for secondary power systems and ground based auxiliary power systems for multiple aircraft types.
Engineers at Jetoptera in Edmonds, Washington, and GE Aviation in Evandale, Ohio, are collaborating on a 500 pound-force (lbf) class fluidic propulsion system leveraging a gas generator based on GE Aviation’s H-Series turboprop engine. Jetoptera’s Fluidic Propulsion System is, officials say, both revolutionary and a remarkably simple approach to producing thrust for powerful, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft.
Unitech Composites, a Unitech Aerospace company in Hayden, Idaho, is providing its Lightweight Armament Support Structure (LASS) composite weapons pylons to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company Science and Engineering Services (SES) in Columbia, Md., for use on Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters the U.S. Army is supplying to the government of Afghanistan through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
In part two of a two-part series, Richard Gardner discusses various aerospace propulsion innovations and continued work by aerospace engineers and scientists to advance aircraft engine technologies to increase efficiency and lower emissions.
The Center for Advanced Aerospace Technologies (FADA-CATEC) has collaborated with the Spanish engineering company CiTD in the design, development, and manufacture of new aerospace components through 3D printing for the European Space Agency CHEOPS satellite.
Designing a High-Speed Decoy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Using Thermoplastics in Aerospace Applications In-Flight Real-Time Avionics Adaptation Using Turbine Flow Meters for Aerospace Test and Measurement Applications Communicating from Space: The Front End of Multiscale Modeling Laser-Based System Could Expand Space-to-Ground Communication Hydraulic Testing of Polymer Matrix Composite 102mm Tube Section Research could lead to development of a composite material that can be processed at a low temperature and still be used at 1000°F. Permeation Tests on Polypropylene Fiber Materials Study attempts to determine if polypropylene nanofiber materials can be used in air filtration systems to remove toxic vapors. Inter-Laboratory Combat Helmet Blunt Impact Test Method Comparison Ensuring consistent test methods could reduce the risk of head injuries.
Enhanced SATCOMs for Unmanned Aerial Systems The Bus Too Tough to Die Combating Infrared Threats on the Battlefield Optical Interconnect Design Challenges in Space High-Performance Computing for the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Merging Antenna and Electronics Boosts Energy and Spectrum Efficiency Integrated Magneto-Optical Devices for On-Chip Photonic Systems Development of magneto-optical (MO) materials could lead to a range of nonreciprocal optical devices for emerging standardized photonic integrated circuit (PIC) fabrication processes. Low Power Optical Phase Array Using Graphene on Silicon Photonics Electrostatic doping of 2D materials embedded in waveguides could enable ultrafast devices with unprecedented power. Spatial Resolution and Contrast of a Focused Diffractive Plenoptic Camera New technology captures spectral and spatial information of a scene in one snapshot while raising pixel counts and improving image quality.
Heavy-duty engine design Increasing regulations and market demands call for cleaner, more durable and fuel-efficient engines. Developers rely on CAE simulation, enhanced test methods and 3D printing to keep up. Switching to comfort mode Switches, knobs and touch panels evolve to reduce operator fatigue. Big on prognostics Smart data-analyzing procedures that support predictive maintenance will help to significantly increase the uptime of heavy-duty vehicles. The "Evolution of Big Data" symposium at SAE COMVEC 2018 addresses such critical topics. Starship road trip Optimized aerodynamics and production-ready technologies propel Shell's Class 8 concept to a 248% freight-ton-efficiency improvement.
Are higher voltage architectures imminent? As the limitations of current 12V architectures become more apparent, the commercial vehicle industry could be on the verge of adopting 48V. The only question is, will improvements in other technologies offer something better? Sensing changes in autonomous trucks Requirements for sensors and controls for commercial vehicles differ significantly from those used for cars. Many paths lead to reduced emissions A wide range of ICE technologies are needed to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Quotes from COMVEC 2018 Industry leaders spoke extensively about all things autonomous-ADAS, big data, connectivity, cybersecurity, machine learning-at the annual SAE event. Here's some of what they had to say. Fuel-cell Class 8-take 2.0 With a longer-range and more-refined fuel cell-powered heavy-duty truck, Toyota aims to eventually eliminate emissions from trucks serving increasingly congested California ports.
Electrification takes (some of) the load There’s no better way to relieve worry over meeting emissions regulations than by not producing any emissions from the start. But electric drive is not a silver bullet. Weight watcher Meritor optimizes product design and examines “exotic” materials like carbon fiber to slash mass from drivelines. Electrifying demo Diesel pioneer Deutz equipped telehandlers with hybrid and fully electric powertrains and put their capabilities on display. Automated and electric at IAA Far-out concepts and nearer-to-production prototypes dotted the show floor and outdoor demo track at the biennial commercial-vehicle event in Hanover, Germany. Delphi injects life into diesel Fuel-injection advances enable cleaner, quieter operation, while gains in power electronics and controls help grow electrification business.
Connectivity takes center stage Telematic links have become the norm, helping fleet owners and operators improve efficiency and letting OEMs predict component failures. More power, less noise, fewer emissions These key attributes drive development of new generators both big and small. TARDEC pursues advanced power generation U.S. Army, GM collaborate on fuel-cell-generated electricity to power the vehicle's propulsion system and onboard electronics, while providing off-vehicle power via an Exportable Power Take-Off unit. Developing an alternative engine concept Ricardo's CryoPower engine leverages two unique combustion techniques for reduced emissions and fuel consumption-liquid nitrogen and split combustion. Long-haul trucking and stationary power generation will be the first beneficiaries of the technologies. Technology time-warp The road to autonomous driving has been under construction for decades, as showcased by SAE's Mobility History Committee at the 2018 WCX in Detroit.