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Cabin window design The expanded operating conditions of the Gulfstream V aircraft required engineers to redesign the cabin window to provide for a longer service life, lighter weight, and improved functionality. European wind tunnels This first in a two-part series on global wind tunnel use and capabilities investigates several European research organizations' facilities.

All go for browser launch The Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems, and Raytheon Co. follow in the footsteps of the Big Three automakers in seeking to establish a single Internet portal for conducting business-to-business e-commerce. The journey to more electric In anticipation of the increased use of electronics in place of hydraulic systems, TRW Aeronautical Systems is developing new system architectures and technologies for a "more electric" aircraft. Taking the flight path to improvement Using lean principles and innovative technology, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. strives to better its manufacturing processes by reducing cost, waste, and assembly time.

Implementing CAD systems Several aerospace companies have employed new CAD systems to achieve cost savings as well as improved functionality. Nose gear shimmy damping Lord Corp. has adapted surface-effect technologies to the development of nonhydraulic nose gear shimmy dampers.

Quality in the integrated product team In the early phases of product development, quality must be engineered and managed into the product. Advancing icing detection Engineers are working to develop a capability to detect icing conditions ahead of aircraft using onboard and ground-based remote sensing systems. Testing times Methods for testing aircraft engines have changed dramatically over the years for Rolls-Royce- almost as much as the engines themselves. This is the last installment of a three-part series on aircraft engine testing.

Noise and vibrations control A variety of active and passive methods can be used to reduce cabin noise and fuselage vibration. Bringing efficiency to flight testing To meet itsgoal of one new aircraft activity each year, Bombardier's Flight Test Center has sought to reduce aircraft development cycle time by focusing on test planning, safety, and configuration control. Propulsion flight testing Originally conceived for just the GE90 aircraft engine program, GE Aircraft Engines' Boeing 747 flying test bed has evolved into the company's primary commercial engine test aircraft. Top technologies for 2000 Each month, "Aerospace Engineering" publishes the latest technologies. The "Aerospace Engineering" editors have reviewed thousands of reader responses during the past year and have chosen the "best of the best" along with runners-up.

Low-altitude wind shear Researchers investigate the influences of low-altitude wind shear on takeoff, landing, and other low-level flight. Prepare for launch Lockheed Martin and its suppliers are gearing up activities to launch the first Atlas V launch vehicle before the end of the year. Modeling aircraft hydraulic systems Honeywell Normalair Garrett Ltd. and Flowmaster Inc. have developed a new approach to managing the complex and varied tasks required for the simulation of aircraft systems.

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.

3-D flight path display Rockwell Collins, Inc. has developed an advanced Flight Management System that features a 3-dimensional flight path display, which provides lateral, vertical, and performance predicted flight plan information. Reducing brake squeal Engineers at BFGoodrich Aerospace focus on enhancing brake rod bending-mode damping. FMS vertical profile Smiths Industries investigates a method for providing a 3-D graphical representation of the flight management system (FMS) vertical profile. Building a family Fairchild Dornier takes the family approach to developing its various regional jet aircraft.

Wanted: aerospace engineers There are many different viewpoints on the state of engineering employment in the aerospace industry. "Aerospace Engineering" editors spoke with airframers, suppliers, and academics to get their perspectives on recruiting and retaining engineering talent. Understanding the shape-variable fowler flap DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and the German Aerospace Center have begun studying the concept of a shape-variable fowler flap for an Airbus transport aircraft such as the A340. Thin-film coatings technology NIST's Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory continues its research to gain better understanding of the mechanical properties of thin-film aerospace applications. Managing knowledge SDRC provides a customized product knowledge management solution for the aerospace industry.

Eurofighter ergonomics BAE Systems looks to Direct Voice Input to address cockpit ergonomic concerns for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Aeropropulsion testing One of the nation's largest complex of test facilities, the Arnold Engineering Development Center is involved extensively in the ground testing of propulsion systems.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.