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Europe's double-decker giant "Aerospace Engineering" provides an overview of the issues and technocal challenges faced by Airbus in the development of the A380. Quiet please Several technologies are under development at GE Aircraft Engines that address strigent demands from the airlines for reduced noise emissions from new aircraft engines. Thermal material solutions Astrium has begun investigating several new metallic thermal protection system concepts for reusable launch vehicles. Bringing the best of both worlds in engine technology GE Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney together developed the GP7000, a powerplant alternative for the Airbus A380 superjumbo aircraft.

Robot reliance There is plenty of room for growth in the use of robots among aerospace companies. The energy-optimized aircraft Aerospace sings the body electric with the integration of stand-alone electric subsystems. Flying into cleaner skies Engine efficiency saves money, trims pollutants. A fascination with fasteners Lack of manufacturing capacity is just one reason for a shortage of aerospace fasteners.

Designing reliable boards The makers of electronic hardware are boosting reliability by reducing the number of components that can fail while improving ruggedization for those circuit boards. Better seen, not heard Reducing noise profiles is a multi-targeted task for engine OEMs, airframers, airport authorities, and regulatory agencies. Farnborough 2006 "Sustainable Aviation" will be a key subject as representatives of the global aerospace industry meet at the Farnborough International Airshow.

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.

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.

A deeper dive Simulation and testing continue to evolve, giving engineers more capabilities to find and fix errors before aircraft go into production. Europe: The empty cockpit The growing momentum behind the design and manufacture of UAVs and their potential integration into the global environment is bringing outstanding technology challenges and ooprtunities for the aerospace industry. U.S. manufacturing base shifts into high gear. Both military and civilian contractors are ramping up to meet demands of both war and commerce.

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.

The fantastic five Engineers at NASA Langley, NASA Glenn, and the Boeing Co. investigate new aircraft concepts designed to improve fuel economy. Addressing noise, emissions, and fuel efficiency In an interview with "Aerospace Engineering," Rolls-Royce Engineering Director Mike Howse explains the technical challenges and tradeoffs in jet-engine design and development. Doing business via the Internet It's not so much a matter of whether a company should use the Internet to conduct business, but how. This article looks at how two companies- one an aerospace parts maker, the other a provider of e-sourcing solutions- exploit the Internet. Improving processes through new solutions Several aerospace companies have implemented new engineering software products into their work processes to improve efficiency and productivity.

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.

The burn factor New combustor technologies keep engine temperatures down to reduce emissions. The transparent supply chain The U.S. military and contractors work together to make parts available when parts are needed. An explosion of nondestructive testing Trends in the aerospace industry, such as greater use of composites, increase the need for tests and simulations.

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.

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.

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.

ETS Baja parts failure analysis: Geared for success When the ETS Baja team had to withdraw from the Baja Auburn 2012 event due to abnormal gear failure, an extensive analysis was required to ensure that problems of this nature would not surface again. After some serious investigation, the conclusion of almost 30 hours of research was unexpected and proved surprisingly simple. Body and soul rule at 2012 Formula SAE Months before the Formula SAE Michigan competition in May, teams were hashing out product development decisions. The end-game was presenting a racecar that had the right stuff for earning high points in the challenge's vehicle design evaluation as well as the acceleration, skid pad, endurance, and autocross dynamic performance events.

When fuel cells fly Emerging hydrogen and fuel-cell-based technologies are being developed for the future replacement of onboard electrical systems in more-electric or all-electric aircraft. Motor controls spin forward Improved power handling and software advances make electrified powertrains more competitive. Multiple controllers adds to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

Types of aircraft passenger-escape systems An overview of existing and potential new methods for assuring aircraft occupant safety. SAE Skill India Initiative: S2I2 A new SAEINDIA collaboration aims to help young engineers acquire "industry-ready" skills. A technology-driven sustainable-agriculture solution Pumping more air into the cylinder is key to solving the CAFE puzzle, and engineers are hard at work figuring out the best ways to do it with turbocharger and supercharger innovation. Rotorcraft icing computational tool development 3D printing machines can't be built fast enough In the additive-manufacturing world, the costs of components are dropping, the technology is becoming more reliable and parts are fabricated faster, allowing industries beyond aerospace to adopt additive technologies, says Oak Ridge Lab's Ryan Dehoff.

Rockets re-engineered-a step further into the cosmos Powertrain design for reliability Ice breaker Mazda's Skyactiv-X beats the big companies to market with a promising new engine that marries Otto and Diesel attributes. Advances for off-highway engine design As manufacturers continue to drive out cost and meet a worldwide patchwork of regulatory frameworks, the tools for developing those engines are advancing. From showcase prototypes to advanced analytical techniques, suppliers are helping the cause. Aeroacoustic simulation delivers breakthroughs in aircraft noise reduction Autonomy testing: Simulation to the rescue Autonomous technology development injects new rigors on vehicle-development testing.

Composite simulation helps fill gaps There is no turning back from using carbon-fiber reinforced plastics and other composite materials for aerospace parts. Simulation providers are finding new opportunities to help reduce cost and improve efficiencies in designing and making aerospace parts made of composites. Shifting gears smoothly Ric Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into SAE's driver's seat.

Road to lab to math Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students designed a biodiesel-fueled power-split extended range electric vehicle for the latest ecocar challenge. Deep (Orange) Dive Cu-icar teams with industry to complete a student-engineered and -designed extended- range EV. Trends impacting military and defense engineering Industry leaders discussed a number of pressing issues- ranging from the need for more young engineers to significantly compressed design cycles- at the recent SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineeering Congress. Shifting gears smoothly Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into SAE's driver's seat.

BMW i3 was born electric The carbon-fiber-bodied city car is the German automaker's first series-production entry into the electric-vehicle space. High temperatures narrow material choices for electrified vehicles One of the biggest challenges confronting electric and hybrid-electric vehicle designers today is how to manage the high temperatures stemming from the electrical losses associated with high-power electronics.