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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 green to stay in the black Cutting energy usage, reducing chemical waste can help companies save cash. Saving space Engineers take a modern look at proven rocket technologies for the Constellation program. 'Center' of attention An abundance of test programs on the horizon leads Boeing to create a central command center to organize all test activities. Farnborough International 2008 A look at prospects and trends for this year's largest global aerospace trade show.

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.

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.

Teaming up for quality Suppliers, customers, and industry groups all work together in drive to reduce problems. Next-gen nav/comm Advanced satellite capabilities revolutionize navigation, comminications, and surveillance. Composites come clean New scienceand processes are applied to next-generation materials.

From part to plane: the fastest machine wins Next-gen machining centers and controllers brings new precision and capabilities to both metal and composite manufacturing. Files moved around the world As aircraft manufacturers distribute more jobs to contractors, streamlining the transfer of information has become an important part of both design and manufacturing. Top technologies of 2008 A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year. VLJ power Some engine programs for very light jets are full swing while certification awaits others.

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.

Toward greener skies Engine designers harness new technologies to embrace the eco-challenge. Going with the flow Advanced balances, pressure-sensitive paint, and wind-tunnel testing streamline aircraft aerodynamics. Orbital drilling goes mainstream for the Dreamliner Boeing and Novator worked together to overcome the obstacles of drilling holes into new material combinations being used in next-gen aircraft.

Improving power quality Avionics power supplies are being redesigned to reduce harmonic distortion and work with wild frequencies. Think smart As aerospace manufacturers and suppliers continually look for new ways to improve passenger safety and comfort, an increasing emphasis is being placed on the role of advanced, 'smart' interiors. Getting it together The manufacture and assembly of today's aircraft must be in line with market needs and emerging technologies in a challenging business environment.

An eye for detail Manufacturers hone next-generation designs with advanced measurement and inspection tools. Emissions progress New European research and development efforts aim to achieve step changes in engine emissions performance. Seeing virtually everything Simulating larger systems helps engineers understand more interactions.

Composite designs benefit from blending When design teams mesh with manufacturing, the result is better aircraft. On the air with transformational broadcasts Next-generation communications and navigation solutions facilitate green approaches and new flight efficiencies for airlines. Automation in composite manufacturing Technological developments are set to change the way aircraft are made.

The edge on cutting aerospace composites With the increasing use of high-performance composites, such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastics in aerospace in recent years, machinists are continuing to devise the best way of cutting them.

Zonal hydraulics Electric systems will facilitate dispersal of hydraulic systems throughout the airframe.

Fuels for the future Cleaner and more environmentally friendly sources of aviation fuel will be needed if the impact of air travel is to remain acceptable as the climate changes.

A smarter future Smart materials have been around a long time; some have made it to market, but the real promise is still to come.

Next-generation military propulsion Design concepts for future strike aircraft, transport, and UAVs.