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STOVL propulsion-onward and upward Rolls-Royce's unique Pegasus engine has made possible a generation of vertical-landing military aircraft. Testing solutions This special section highlights some of the latest equipment used by engineers to validate new technologies.

Controlling UAVs BAE Systems and The Math Works work together on UAV flight software using embedded code generation and a high-integrity RTOS. Supporting aircraft evolutions Testing validates the technology, then the technology changes again. Time equals money A standard process for software cost estimation developed at Lockheed Martin streamlined the company's proposals for military projects.

Full throttle for engine solutions Powering aircraft from Mach 2 fighters to tiny hovering UAVs, military engine technology is now operating on a very broad front. Design and production flexibility together with reduced in-service costs are priorities. To the breaking point Test engineers use new rigs and data-acquisition equipment on the latest generation of pneumatics, engines, and airframes. PCs move into the cockpit Pilot training is getting a bit less expensive with the introduction of more portable flight simulations.

Supporting nest-gen propulsion The need for advanced computational and communication systems on board military aircraft make fuel cells an attractive propulsion alternative, and ample access to hydrogen a necessity. Aerospace industry seeks material returns Better use of materials data can pay off for aerospace designers. Transatlantic testing program for the F-35 Europe gets its most comprehensive-ever military airframe test facility.

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.

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.

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 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.

AEI Best Engineered Vehicle 2010- Ford Taurus The readers and editors have selected the most significant vehicle of the year. Ford attacks premium sedan segment with all the technology it can muster. Focused on fuel economy Technology is only part of the solution for reducing vehicle energy consumption. In part 2 of AEI's Fuel Efficiency series, vehicle engineers explain why driver behavior is also a key factor. No stopping safety system advances Engineers are focusing on active systems intergration, especially with radars and cameras, more centralized processing, and silicon germanium for 77- GHz systems. Shedding pounds on a magnesium diet Tough CAFE standards are pushing automakers to consider using more lightweight magnesium rather than aluminum, steel, or plastics.

Steering activated Vehicles are increasingly taking the wheel and steering themselves, with the promise of improved comfort, handling, and safety. Reflections of a product-development revolutionary Bob Lutz revitalized GM's PD process by challenging its protocols- while following his instincts for making compelling vehicles. Commercial success Technology transfer, a Class 8 hybrid, and lightweighting efforts highlight ArvinMeritor's innovation push in the commercial-vehicle space. EcoBoost, DCTs, and stop-start for the masses High-value, high-volume technologies are driving Ford's near-term conventional powertrain strategy, explains engineering chief Barb Samardzich. Breathing new life into Chrysler Engineering Engineering VP Scott Kunselman talks about working with Fiat, taking the lead in vehicle-electrification, and putting the mojo back into Chrysler's product-development team. Watching the charge The fusion of diagnostics and telematics may help boost electric vehicles.

A new Opel-Vauxhall emerges Opel-Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly is confident of the potential of electric vehicles. Volvo technology enters new era The deal transferring Volvo's ownerhip to the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is expected to be sealed before the fourth quarter of the year, offering a lower cost base that could see Volvo sales up from about 390,000 this year to a million by 2016. Time for more consultations Lotus Engineering's new director, Dr. Robert Hentschel, thinks hard and often, especially about electric bicycles in China, building bridges to the future, extended-range hybrids, and vehicle links to the infrastructure. Aston Martin rides out the recession The company is relying on a combination of its flexible VH vehicle architecture, a small-car partnership with Toyota, and component multitasking to see it into the future.

Optimizing the replacement for engine displacement New boosting and fuel-delivery technologies, and even twin-cylinder ICEs, are among the solutions being employed by powertrain engineers aiming for the next round of fuel-consumption and emissions targets. Back to basics Top Toyota executives discuss steps taken to bolster quality control during the development process while still forging ahead with new innovative product. Hyundai builds on success The company and Kia share European technologies and facilities, but they maintain individual model and marque identities as their presence strengthens. Teeming with ideas Automakers and suppliers get together to address consumer-electronics-friendly life cycles.

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.

Chevrolet Volt When General Motors management approved its 2011 E-REV for production, the bateries- and other technologies- did not exist. Ford Explorer New engines, more extensive use of lightweight metals, and a patented shift-on-the-fly terrain management system highlight the next-generation model as the former frame-based SUV re-emerges for 2011 as a unibody crossover SUV. Honda Odyssey Engineers tried to strike a balance between practicality and sportiness in their 2011 minivan- and succeeded. Jeep Grand Cherokee Chrysler engineers wanted to maintain or enhance off-road capability while significantly boosting refinement. Telematics takeoff comes with many questions Connections for infotainment and app delivery, and design for safe use to head off limiting regulations, are among issues still being debated.

Top technology stories of 2010 The editors complied this top 10 of the past year's most significant automotive-engineering articles based on the online activity of our readers. Integrating safety Disparate systems and sensors are being networked or combined to provide new functions at reduced cost. Investing in EV/PHEV validation Automakers and suppliers are relying on new testing equipment and facilities to evaluate the performance of today's class of electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.

Shifting gears smoothly Richard E. Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into the driver's seat of SAE International. Top new engines AEI editors highlight the most significant internal-combustion powerplants of the new year and beyond. Riding on in-wheel motors Researchers analyze passive concepts and new mechatronic suspension systems to ensure vehicle comfort and safety when using in-wheel motors with different torque requirements.

Future testing of active safety systems To speed up the introduction of active safety systems, efficient standardized test programs are needed, including alternatives to test-track testing. Engine management on a budget Tata Technologies engineers at the recent SAE Convergence event provided an inside look at how they developed the Nano's low-cost EMS and reduced development time and cost with extensive use of modern tools. Racing for the green Changes are coming to Indy Car and Formula One to focus on green technology that applies to production vehicles. Taking strides together SAE 2011 World Congress host company General Motors touts teamwork as a way to expand industry knowledge and encourage energy efficiency.

AEI Best Engineered Vehicle 2011- Chevrolet Volt General Motors' pioneering E-REV eliminates range-to-empty worries with a cleverly engineered powertrain that makes Volt the right EV at the right time- and AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2011. Government boost key to biofuel future Biofuel companies are determined to become viable on their own but want continued government assistance if oil companies receive assistance, too. More from less Trimming fuel consumption and emissions requires higher voltages, greater computing power, and more money. Finding the right balance Engineers identify key technology trends such as the necessity for lighter, smaller engines and vehicles- and stress that managing trade-offs is an especially tough challenge. Automotive Engineering International 2011 tech awards The editors of Automotive Engineering International preview the most innovative supplier technologies to be displayed April 12-14 in Detroit at the SAE 2011 World Congress.