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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.

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

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.

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.

Let's get digital Aviation and defense companies are turning to software tools as a way to create systems and components faster, cheaper, and more efficiently than ever before. Global collaboration is in the air From national to international to global, aerospace programs have become ever more geographically interlinked. Whether military or civil, the need for transworld technology collaboration and partnership is rising to new heights. Creating, customizing aircraft interiors Aircraft designers who have made the transition to digital design tools are expanding their use as the tools extend their capabilities.

The diesel is coming, the diesel is coming The diesel engine is reaching maturity before our eyes and noses, thanks in part to diesel particulate filters and high-pressure fuel injection. Planning for the future Industry and academia partner to improve education for tomorrow's automotive engineers. Passion for performance at SAE 2004 World Congress A special program dedicated to engineering and other issues related to high-performance vehicles will highlight this year's annual gathering. Modules no shell game for Siemens VDO Workers at the supplier's plant in Santa Catarina, Mexico, assemble seven plastic shells and 26 other components into an air/fuel intake module for DaimlerChrysler's Hemi engine.

Production preview from Detroit Attendees of the 2005 North American International Auto Show in the "Motor City" this January were treated to nearly 70 vehicle introductions, 24 of which were worldwide production cars and trucks. AEI editors present the technical highlights of some of the more significant 2005 and 2006 production vehicles. Significantly this year, the cars we've highlighted outnumber trucks by more than two to one. DSPs start progressing Math processors will help to provide more functionality in the cabin and improve motion contorl throughout the vehicle. Sliding doors the Toyota way Door openings are about more than hinges and pillars, according to the Japanese automaker. Accelerating technology Hybrid technology is gaining in popularity, broadening its scope to embrace performance, and driving industry collaborations.

Parisian delights The concept vehicles at September's Paris Motor Show ranged from futuristic, over-the-top dream machines with diesel hybrid power to fuel-efficient small cars with high-end interiors. Software poses hard challenges Autocoding, reuse help automakers produce increasingly more lines of code. The two-wheeler future Japanese manufacturers look to crossovers, hybrids, and alternative-energy concepts to reinvigorate the motorcycle industry. An Aura of refinement Saturn took cues from its European partner when designing a new entrant for the U.S. midsize market. Decongesting Denver The road to safer and more efficient ground transportation in the Mile High City is being paved, in part, via a romance between highway and light rail. Hybrids for commerce Though they represent a fraction of the Japanese hybrid fleet, the four Japanese commercial-vehicle manufacturers offer diesel-electric hybrid trucks and buses that are on the leading edge of the technology.

Ford widens diesel getaway As the popularity of the diesel in Europe continues to soar, Ford, in collaboration with PSA, is further expanding its Diesel Center's production in the UK. Phil Lake, Ford of Europe's Chief Engineer, Diesel Engines, gives AEI a tour of the facility and the technology. Consumer electronics solutions Wireless technologies, networking alternatives vie for acceptance as the auto industry scrambles to keep up with consumer demands for infotainment options. California dreaming Forward-thinking West Coast automotive design studios ponder recyclable cars, predetermined vehicle lifespan, and a reduced carbon footprint as part of the third annual Los Angeles Design Challenge. Tradition meets technology Artisan skills are supporting traditional engineering in the creation of complex, high-profile concept cars.

Back to the high-power future Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto and other officials are re-engineering Toyota, borrowing elements of the past to tackle 21st-century environmental changes. Racing to green mobility The President of Honda R&D, Masaaki Kato, hopes to harness the company's "racing spirit" to research and develop innovative methods to reduce the CO2 emissions of its products. Charging ahead Nissan's Senior Vice President, Minoru Shinohara, explains the battery technology that will allow feasible electric cars, while not forgetting to mention the GT-R supercar. Market Genesis Hyundai-Kia R&D Center Chief Hyun-Soon Lee has added the top market-research job at the company as it tries to quickly add more value to its products with new technologies and features. China goes shiftless Suppliers hope to capitalize on the future gold mine for automatic transmissions by working with OEMs on high-tech but low-cost solutions.

Bodybuilding 101 The latest designs are pumped up with flagrant use of performance-enhancing substances, such as boron steel, for maximum strength and safety. Prize-winning plastics Lower cost, lighter weight solutions highlight the 2008 SPE Automotive Innovation awards. Mean and green More than a few companies at last month's SEMA Show heralded the eco-friendly side of their products just as highly as the performance side. Setting the standards Automakers along with their supplier partners are now embracing many interfaces and protocols to enable compatibility with consumer electronics devices as well as other advances. Readers' choice: Top technology stories of the year The editors look back at some of the past year's most significant engineering and innovation articles according to readers of Automotive Engineering International and AEI Online. Green victory? The motorsports community contemplates winning races while leaving behind the smallest environmental footprint.

Lighten up! Automakers and suppliers accelerate their efforts to reduce vehicle weight by engineering them for greater use of lighter, stronger materials. Combustion research heats up As calls for lower CO2 emissions grow louder, fuel system, valvetrain, electronic control, and analytical technologies are helping to unlock greater efficiences inside the cylinder. Touching the future Sensors and screens are replacing push buttons as touch controls get more sophisticated and user-friendly. Waving the 'green' flag SAE 2009 World Congress host company Honda calls for collaboration and urgency in the race for green mobility.

Winning the war for talent The conclusion of AEI's two-part series looks at how industry, academia, and professional groups are working together to close the "knowledge gap" in vehicle electrification. Partnering on infotainment Services are expected to rise as technical collaboration and available bandwith increase. Nissan Leaf The Japanese company first saw the potential of lithium-ion batteries for vehicular use in 1992, and almost two decades later is about to deploy the technology. Honda Insight Developed to be attainable for Gen Y buyers, the 2010 Insight is a major piece in Honda's hybrid-portfolio plans. Heavy-duty issues Top industry insiders provide their perspectives on crtical issues such as sustainability, workforce development, and future growth at this year's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition.

Focused on fuel economy Optimizing vehicle fuel efficiency takes a combination of engineering solutions and driver behavior. In part one of his two-part series, AEI examines the technologies being employed. Part two, coming in the April 6 print edition, discusses drivers' impact on higher mpg. Sound engineering Engineers using advanced tools create the sound of today's vehicles. Collaboration, innovation on the agenda The SAE 2010 World Congress, with the theme "Ecollaboration: engage. exchange. excel," will be held April 13-15, 2010, at Cobo Center in Detroit, MI. With this theme, host company Ford is calling for collaboration as a way to develop innovative solutions to overcome economic and environmental challenges. Speaking of controls Voice recognition has made big strides, but intergrating it into a seamless human-machine interface is a huge challenge.

Small car, big project Vehicle Line Executive for the Fiat 500, Joe Grace, talks about bringing the iconic car to North America and the collaboration between engineers in Turin and Detroit that helped make it happen. Girding the grid for EVs Public electric utilities such as Detroit Edison have a virtual role to play in cultivating the electric vehicle market. Progress, new innovations spur GM;s fuel-cell development Fuel-cell program Executive Director Charlie Freese reveals the ongoing technical progress aimed at making FCVs part of GM's production vehicle portfolio later this decade. Planning the future of PLM and 3-D virtual tools The product-development revolution that began with CATIA is only beginning, says Dassault Systemes' CEO Bernard Charles.

Light and mighty Finding innovative ways to reduce vehicle weight while maintaining vehicle safety will be key to achieving the 2025 fuel-economy target. Controllers bulk up to manage engine's intricacies Chips hold more memory and boost throughput to help improve fuel efficiency. Electric Renault also focused on internal combustion Already becoming known in Europe as the 'electric company,' Renault, together with Alliance partner Nissan, is determined to pursue EV solutions but in parallel with intensive ICE programs, says Philippe Klein, Renault's Vice President, Corporate Planning, Product Planning, and Programs. Volvo plugs into high technology The company may be on a high-technology roll with its new plug-in diesel hybrid and its shift to a maximum four-cylinder philosophy-with three-cylinder units likely, according to Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Research & Development.

Big shifts coming in powertrains During the rest of this decade, many observers expect transmission controls to undergo more changes than in the past 10-15 years. Transmission controls are being revamped to meet tighter fuel economy laws, letting engines run at optimal speeds. Collaborating for cheaper carbon fiber Oak Ridge National Laboratory and several industry partners work together to overcome the challenges to lower-cost carbon fiber. Creating the 54.5-mpg car Part 2 of AEI's three-part series looks at how vehicle engineers are facing a 'stress test' as the countdown to 2025 CAFE begins. How will the aggressive new regulations influence U.S. passenger cars in the next decade-and what will they cost to implement?

Steer-by-wire stars on the new Lexus RZ 450e Lexus' first BEV arrives with innovative touches, dual-axle propulsion and less-than-spectacular range. Rethinking the grid for EVs Interoperability and 'smart' energy management are vital for meeting EV charging demand. Designing for 200 BMEP and 22,000 RPM How Honda's Grand Prix motorcycle program in the 1960s created the world's most-advanced IC engines. Spelling Ford with an 'e' Ford Motor Co.'s new Model e team aims to transform the 120-year-old auto giant. Meet some of its new technology leaders. Chamber made to protect EV batteries With the ACS Dust Chamber, testing to ISO 20653 helps ensure EV battery housing designs will keep out dust and small particulates.