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F-35 manufacturing ergonomics addressed Human-factors simulation from Delmia is playing a key role as Northrop Grumman tools up for work on the Joint Strike Fighter. Keeping it together: design, development, and maintenance It is only in relatively recent years that the full meaning of integrating manufacturing and maintenance as part of the design and development processes has been grasped by the aerospace industry. Exploring the boundaries of our solar system SAE 100 Future look: In addition to helping enable NASA's new vision of taking humans back to the moon and paving the way to Mars and beyond, two robotics space science missions are preparing to explore the outermost and innermost edges of our solar system. What's on the horizon for space SAE 100 Future look: Dramatic changes in the Earth's climate are certain to drive humanity's search for alternative fuel sources.

All things to all operators Manufacturers of commercial powerplants simultaneously tackle fuel efficiency, performance, and life-cycle costs. Digital morphs the radio landscapes In the world of aerospace, smaller radios are able to handle a larger number of frequencies. Top technologies for 2005 A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations in the news during the past year, as deemed by readers and editors.

High hopes or just dreaming? A look at how Asia's aircraft manufacturers are trying to break into new markets to challenge the status quo. Camelina-based biofuel shows advantages in turboprop Researchers within the government of Canada see the need to improve the emissions performance of the Rolls-Royce T56 engine, which despite its age remains a workhorse for its military aircraft fleet.

PEFCs to transform UAVs Advancements in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have resulted in longer endurance missions for smaller UAVs as well as an enabler for electric aircraft that require vertical takeoff and landing capability. Hovering aircraft programs The AW609 tiltrotor and the X3 compound helicopter offer different technology solutions to the challenge of achieving higher speeds and higher quality point-to-point air transport.

The Distributed Extreme Environment Drive System (DEEDS) What Is It? What Does it Do? How Does It Work? Using Virtual Reality to Improve Product Development Overcoming eVTOL's High-Power Connectivity Challenges Optimized Cutting Tools for Tomorrow's Sustainable Aircraft DC to DC Power Distribution in MilAero Applications Paving the Way for the Next Wireless Breakthroughs Solving Signal Interference Challenges in Aerospace and Defense Electronics In-situ Atmospheric Intelligence for Hybrid Power Grids: Volume 2 (Automated Data Flow Tests) To achieve battlespace dominance, energy flow characterizations of individual platforms and the aggregate battlespace must be developed to adapt and exploit the variable operating conditions.

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.

More-electric small turbofan engines The aerospace industry demands continuous improvement of propulsion engines as well as timely response to the new and changing requirements for them. Zero-emissions aircraft Researchers explore the potential application of alternative fuels and propulsion systems for aircraft that include a business jet and single-engine propeller aircraft. Integration releases the reins Cessna's new Citation Mustang launches the company into a new market for business jets, helped by the latest PLM solutions from IBM. Military: general A military flight-control system proposed for use in general aviation uses inverse control to decouple the flight controls and to modify the handling qualities of the aircraft, while employing articficial neural networks to compensate for any modeling errors.

Dassault-business aviation pioneer More than four decades of design and engineering evolution have seen the French business jet producer create a wide range of twin-and tri-jet Falcons, from the 20 to the latest 7X. Maintaining reliability Regional airlines and business jet operators care about fuel efficiency, just not as much as engine reliability. Introducing Greg Henderson, SAE President for 2006 The Lockheed Martin executive steps up to take SAE into its next 100 years.

From concept in mind to product in hand Compatibility between tools for design and manufacturing engineers is improving, though it's still fraught with potential pitfalls. Cockpits on display Larger (and eventually bendable) flight displays use commercial technology for both new production and retrofit applications. Interior interests Makers of business aircraft take different approaches to designing interiors. Aerospace proves its metal Aluminum lithium, magnesium alloys, titanium metal matrix composites, and advanced coatings are all part of the future of flying.

Supporting nest-gen propulsion The need for advanced computational and communication systems on board military aircraft make fuel cells an attractive propulsion alternative, and ample access to hydrogen a necessity. Aerospace industry seeks material returns Better use of materials data can pay off for aerospace designers. Transatlantic testing program for the F-35 Europe gets its most comprehensive-ever military airframe test facility.

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.

Booking flights on biofuel The aviation industry is now deploying biofuels on commercial flights after years of demonstration test flights, but high costs will keep bookings few and far between for a few more years. Beating brownout A look at a new airborne landing aid that provides safe-flight capabilities for front-line helicopter crews in degraded visual environments. Making battlefield targets disappear The use of 'smart' special materials has the potential to radically alter the way military platforms are defended, and used.

Avionics go to war Advanced helmet sight systems are being designed to help the situational awareness of those pilots who actually still fly aircraft, while also being seamlessly integrated with the aircraft itself. Model military engine behavior While the concept of a variable cycle engine is not new, recent advances in engine architecture technology suggest that adding a second bypass stream to a traditional turbofan can provide significant benefits. Alternative seals for alternative fuels When considering seal compatibility an aircraft from traditional jet fuel to a synthetic fuel presents an interesting technical challenge that has both financial and practical considerations, especially for aircraft that are already in service.

Implementing CAD systems Several aerospace companies have employed new CAD systems to achieve cost savings as well as improved functionality. Nose gear shimmy damping Lord Corp. has adapted surface-effect technologies to the development of nonhydraulic nose gear shimmy dampers.

Sound sound-research techniques Higher bypass ratios, chevrons, shape memory alloys, and improved aerodynamics are some of the advancing technologies that will help quiet aircraft, and thus help the environment. Display technology perks up HUD, software make big strides in cockpit appearance and flight safety. Going green The global aerospace industry gears up for big changes in fuel burn, emissions, and noise.

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.

Clean, quiet commercial propulsion Engine manufacturers design future engines to meet noise, pollution, and fuel economy needs. Robots take over Dramatic changes in areas as diverse as semiconductor costs, software tools, and the trend toward regional aircraft are creating opportunities for airplane manufacturers to automate their factories. Rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing Durable, temperature-resistant powders and materials enable the manufacture of complex components. The research race Aerospace R&D funding in the U.S. is on the upswing, but new priorities create challenges for universities.

'Infernal' combustion no more Continuous improvements to the 130-year-old ICE aim to keep conventional engines ahead of electric drive. Alternative fuels tested at altitude Federal government researchers in Canada tested certain alternative fuels at simulated altitudes and found that they do offer some benefit.

Alternative fuels heat up This is a rich time for combustion researchers. The need for better fuel efficiency and improved emissions has never been greater. New software model to help engine makers meet diesel soot standards Simulation enables engineers to predict particulate formation early in the design process.

Shed a few joules with better aerodynamics A team of engineering students from Laval University has managed to reduce the energy demand due to wind resistance of its Supermileage vehicle by 10% after carefully designing a new vehicle body with a 25% larger frontal area. Telemetry helps Formula SAE team close the loop on design Once a year, a team of students at Virginia Tech get to do something that ought to put a grin on any aspiring engineer's face: build a racecar. Unconventional steel wheel designs The drawings done by collegiate students for a steel wheel design competition had industry professionals thinking about future production possibilities.