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Big fans gear up for new battles The big difference in newer commercial airplanes comes where it can't be seen: in the structure, in new materials, in the avionics, and most importantly, in the engines. Integrated Vehicle Health Management The aims of IVHM include improved safety through the use of diagnostics and prognostics to fix faults before they are an issue, as well as improve availability of fleets through better maintenance scheduling.

Breathing Life into Artificial Intelligence and Next Generation Autonomous Aerospace Systems Robotic Rotational Molding Creates New Opportunities for Military and Aerospace Applications Rim-Driven Electric Aircraft Propulsion High-Speed Midwave Infrared Cameras Enable Military Test Range Tracking System What Today's Advances in Radar Technology Mean for Testing and Training Tackling Ruggedization Challenges for RF Communications in Software Defined Radios AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2023 The Blueprint for Autonomy Multi-Scale Structuring of the Polar Ionosphere Understanding a radically new sensing capability for polar ionospheric science introduced by observational evidence recently provided by the electronically steerable Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR). Stepped-Frequency Distributed Radar for Through-the-Wall Sensing A technical analysis of the effectiveness of distributed radar for through-the-wall sensing applications.

3-D manufacturing of titanium components takes off MRO providers are discovering ways to innovate their procedures while remaining viable and profitable through the current downturn in government spending. Commercial programs are flying high With economic regeneration underway this year, the rate of ordering new aircraft has been at an all-time high, with the result that backlogs for undelivered new production stretch well into the next decade for some popular models.

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.

Powering on Rolls-Royce's Chief Engineer discusses how new technologies in the Trent XWB family of engines are inspiring current R&D design and evaluation work as part of its strategic roadmap for future big fanjets. Ongoing development work and associated test programs extend across a broad range of activities and involve many partners. Countering cybersecurity threats against unmanned vehicle systems Cranfield University researchers have developed a monitoring system whose purpose is to monitor mission profile implementation at both high level mission execution and at lower level software code operation to tackle specific threats of malicious code and possible spurious commands received over a vehicle's data links.

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.

Going direct in manufacturing Prototyping transitions from one-off components to flight-ready hardware. Traveling light, traveling easy Airplane manufacturers have always tried to avoid unnecessary weight- and today's materials and design tactics combine for stronger structures with less weight. making flying safer Technology is applied to new avionics and ground-based systems to make air operations, military as well as civil, far safer than ever before. Innovative Thinking 101 West Virginia University professor Dr. James E. Smith issues a call for innovation as one of the central themes of his term as SAE's 2009 President.

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.

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.

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.

Giving ice the boot Atmospheric icing was for many years one of the majoy threats to aircraft safety- and it potentially still is. Researchers at Dunlop Aviation Ice Protection and Composites continue their development of deicing and anti-icing technologies. The art of wing assembly Airbus Industries investigates new technologies and techniques for improving quality and reducing cost of its wing box assemblies. Affordable engines for small aircraft A look into the new technologies developed for small-aircraft engines as extensions to the cooperative agreements under the NASA General Aviation Propulsion program conclude.