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The dawn of the jet age: the first 10 years One of the ironies of aviation history is that the most obvious potential power source for a fixed-wing aircraft was barely considered by the early pioneers. Airflow simulation for winglets Embraer engineers used CFD to visualize flow patterns around wings for a design retrofit. Aircraft-engine-mounting analysis Engineers from Honeywell adapted a rapid analysis approach to develop and validate a complex propulsion system. Reshaping F-16 production Following its contract with the Joint Strike Fighter program, Lockheed Martin is reconfiguring its F-16 assembly line in preparation for long-term JSF production starting later this year.

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.

Explosion suppressant arresting foam Technological refinements over three decades have enabled a family of polyerethane foams to aid in the prevention of catastrophic explosions caused by electrical arching, lightning strikes, and static electrical discharge. Improving SA via HUD Engineers from Honeywell and BAE Systems address the saftety and avionics issues inherent in the anticipated increase in air traffic.

Fuel-tank inerting A series of aircraft flight and ground tests evaluated the effectiveness of ground-based inerting as a means of reducing the flammability of center wing furl tanks used in the commercial transport fleet. Making sense of quality management The International Aerospace Quality Group is a unique vehicle for communicating quality system standards and initiatives through the supply base. Top technologies for 2002 "Aerospace Engineering's" annual review of the technologies chosen by its readers to be the most significant.

Systematically silencing Industry trends demonstrate aerospace companies such as Lord are evolving from supplying just components to entire systems. Resolving conflicts for the F/A-22 cockpit canopy Diverse requirements made design and production of the fighter's cockpit canopy a challenging systems integration enterprise for Lockheed Martin. No man in the machine Unmanned aerial vehicles have proven their worth in recent real-time confrontations, but there is still a need for continued technological growth toward their maturity.

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.

EADS aerospace technology Europe's aerospace giant is focusing its research and development activities on more economical, safer. cleaner, and quieter technologies. Farnborough highlights Following is a brief synopsis of some of the technologies and partnerships that were announced at July's Farnborough Air Show. Look for more extensive coverage in future issues. Educating engineers Academia and employers alike area attempting to equip aerospace engineers with a skill set more varied than just technical know-how through hands-on experience and career-long training.

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.

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.

Civil and military technologies in close formation As the Famborough International Air Show nears, Keith Hayward of the Society of British Aerospace Companies discusses some of the issues and trends that will be addressed at this year's event. Pressing on with the 728JET Fairchild Dornier remains diligent in the development of the 728 regional jet, eploying digital development techniques and new manufacturing methods to improve overall cost of the aircraft. Bombardier CRJ900 and CRJ700 Bombardier hits 70- to 100- seat regional market running. The growing ERJ family Embraer stakes its claim to the regional jet market with the ERJ-170 and ERJ-190.

The future of aircraft manufacturing Engineers from Vought Aircraft offer insight into the challenges, trends, and techniques that aerospace manufacturers will have to consider for maintaining a viable manufacturing environment. High-speed spindles for aircraft manufacturing Aerospace companies such as Boeing and AHF-Ducommun have employed various high-speed spindles from Precise to improve machining accuracy and finish of aerospace components. Making advanced composites Lockheed Martin Space Systems explores several methods to improve quality and reduce costs. Turbine blade machining To ensure more efficient grinding of its turbine blades, Rolls-Royce installed Midwest Engineered Products' CentraSep centrifuge for automatic filtering of cutting oil.

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.

Introducing S.M. Shahed, SAE President for 2002 From humble beginnings, S.M. Shahed carves out a seat at the society's top spot. Aerospace online Rapidly developing Internet-based technologies are profoundly changing the engineering/design process, revolutionizing the way OEMs and suppliers do business, and speeding industry's time-to-market. Mobilizing Canadarm2 Components set for delivery and assemblyon the International Space Station this year will provide mobility to the Space Station Remote Manipulator System or Canadarm2, enabling further construction of the station to continue. Collaborating via the Web The next stage of product development and engineering support software looks to enhance engineers' ability to collaborate with each other via the Internet.

Universal Avionics provides vision The avionics supplier looks to improve pilot situational awareness of surrounding terrain with its new synthetic-vision technology. Enhancing awareness in the cockpit The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory studies the technology trends and issues regarding head-up synthetic vision displays. Preparing for the next wave of air traffic The FAA, NASA, and air-traffic-management system suppliers look to step up efforts and technology developments to enhance capacity of the National Air Space system.

A new role for flight testing Airbus Industries has expanded its flight-testing activities to support the company's Maturity Program and achieve 98.5% operational reliability for aircraft entering service. Take your seats, please Business aircrafts seat designers from B/E Aerospace continues to search for a balance between greater functionality, low cost, light weight, and increased comfort and safety. Aerospace ergonomics Eclipse engineers employ 3-D digital human modeling techniques to ensure an ergonomically efficient cockpit for the Eclipse 500 jet. Real-time aero model identification National Research Council Canada describes its long-term program to speed up data analysis during aircraft flight testing. Top technologies for 2001 Every month, "Aerospace Engineering" publishes the latest technologies. The "Aerospace Engineering" editors have reviewed thousands of reader responses submitted during the past year and, based on your feedback, have chosen the top technologies.

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.

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.

Quality through closed-loop manufacturing Pratt & Whitney has employed automated part probing as part of its manufacturing process to provide final inspection, data collection and analysis, and process adjustment. A virtual fighter The Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. use SGI's Origin 2000 servers and Silicon Graphics Onyx2 visual supercomputers to design their respective Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) demonstrators virtually. Modular aerospace controls Honeywell investigates a commercial off-the-shelf approach to the automated generation of safety-critical software for distributed control systems. Automated fuselage mating Brotje-Automation GmbH has developed an automated alignment facility designed to accurately position and align major aircraft fuselage sections.

AIr traffic management plans advanced The FAA and Boeing recently introduced separate plans for improving the nation's air traffic management system. The Aerospace Congress & Exhibition, hosted by The Boeing Co., will address those proposals along with many other technical and non-technical issues affecting the global aerospace industry. High-temperature ceramic concept Astrium GmbH Space Infrastructure investigates ceramic matrix composites for reusable launch vehicle engine heat shield applications.

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.