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Wireless sensing--the road to future digital avionics A look at the comparative performance of wired and wireless sensors, type of wireless sensors & interfaces, frequency performance, protocols, network topologies and qualification standards. Testing reality in an increasingly complex design space Digital simulation tools have transformed the designing and testing of new airplanes, as well as the way they are manufactured and sustained.

DoD to Deploy Thousands of Low Cost Autonomous Systems Under Replicator Program Top Productivity Improvement Tips for Manufacturing Turbine Discs FACE Technical Standard Offers MOSA Lessons for Safety-Critical Software in Any Sector Adamant: A Soon-to-be Open Source, Mission-Critical Flight Software Framework Written in Ada Benefits and Challenges of Direct-RF Sampling for Avionic Platforms More Airports Test RF as Counter Measure for UAS in Restricted Airspace Adapting U.S. Army Acquisition to Ensure the Reliability and Safety of Autonomous Vehicles This report presents several challenges that the U.S. Army will face in the transition to autonomous vehicles, challenges that are only magnified in the current acquisition environment with limited testing. Artificial intelligence algorithms introduce additional complexity, resulting in systems with a complex combination of human, machine, and autonomous controllers.

Casting a vote for alloys Bringing lighter weight, improved performance, and enhanced repairability to airframes and engines. A sense of the future for UAVs Providing the unblinking eye for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Light material brings heavy challenges Shift from aluminum to composites requires major changes in equipment, software. Ryan's 'Research' put to good use The Southwest Research Institue engineer assumes SAE President duties for 2008.

Making an impact in fastening Engineers at Electroimpact help the company get a leg up on the competition in automated fastening. Narrowing in on military requirements UAVs/UCAVs are increasingly important, with the accent on integration- and wider engine choice. Machining and turning centers take center stage Makers of CNC machining equipment are incorporating more and better functionality into their products so users cope better with processing challenges such as those posed by tough new grades of aerospace materials. Open (and often) communication As aircraft companies battle for market share, uniting design and manufacturing teams remains a key challenge.

Carbon fiber gets bigger footprint Manufacturers strive for the Holy Grail of composites manufacturing: consistency and repeatability. Safety on the floor Once add-ons that brought almost as many problems as benefits, safety techniques are now being designed into equipment before start-up. Taking measures of the machine New requirements and technologies advance the art of test and sensing. Looking, listening, recording, analyzing HUMS is established as an integral part of aviation's safety network, but more standardization is needed to broaden its effectiveness.

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.

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.

Collaboration goes digital Aerospace users and tool providers alike are making digital collaborations more effective than ever.

Linking design and manufacturing Design, manufacturing forge tighter links with help from emerging development tools.

Resolving freedom's complexities Design tools help engineers manage many degrees of freedom and optimize performance.

Automation usage soars in aerospace Robots and other automated equipment are becoming simpler to program and set up, making them better suited for aerospace use.

The open rotor engine in the 21st century After consideration in the 1980s, the open rotor turbine engine for aircraft is given another chance. Will today's engineering tools make it more viable this time?

Tolling for large, light composite parts Aerospace engineers use carbon-fiber composites to create larger, unified parts to replace many smaller parts fastened together. As composite parts get larger, tooling to make them is evolving.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Advancing the art of manufacturing Use of new manufacturing tools and techniques are allowing aircraft makers to deliver their products faster. A materialistic industry Deciding which material is best suited to construct a part or plane is one of the most complex issues an aerospace engineer faces. Speeding up engine manufacture Fiber optics play a big role in percussion drilling tiny holes.