Innovation in Aeronautics

Innovation in aerospace design and engineering is essential to meet the many challenges facing this sector. Innovation in aeronautics explores both a range of innovative ideas and how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed.

After an introduction to innovation in aeronautics, part one reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers, and developments underpinned by digital technologies. The environment and human factors in innovation are also explored as are trends in supersonic passenger air travel. Part two goes on to examine change and the processes and management involved in innovative technology development. Challenges faced in aeronautical production are the focus of part three, which reviews topics such as intellectual property and patents, risk mitigation and the use of lean engineering. Finally, part four examines key issues in what makes for successful innovation in this sector.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Innovation in aeronautics is an essential guide for all those involved in the design and engineering of aerospace structures and systems.

• Explores a range of innovative aerospace design ideas
• Discusses how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed
• Reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers and developments underpinned by digital technologies

Designers , engineers in the aerospace sector, jet engine manufacturers, avionic engineers

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Part I: Concepts

Chapter 1: Introduction to innovation in aeronautics

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Concepts

1.3 Change

1.4 Challenges

Chapter 2: Biologically inspired technologies for aeronautics

Abstract:

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Biologically inspired or independent human innovation

2.3 Nature as a source of innovation in aerospace

2.4 Biologically inspired mechanisms and systems

2.5 Robotics as beneficiary of biomimetic technologies

2.6 Conclusion: challenges and potential development

2.7 Acknowledgement

Chapter 3: Aircraft morphing technologies

Abstract:

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Early aircraft morphing developments

3.3 Keeping morphing alive – NASA research in morphing aircraft structures

3.4 Resurgence of morphing concepts

3.5 Current morphing component technologies

3.6 Conclusion: the future of aircraft morphing technologies

Chapter 4: Jet engine design drivers: past, present and future

Abstract:

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Technological drivers

4.3 New challenges

4.4 Meeting the challenges through innovation

4.5 Conclusion

Chapter 5: Innovation in avionic systems: developments underpinned by digital technologies

Abstract:

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Cost

5.3 Capability

5.4 Demand

5.5 Timing

5.6 Future requirements

5.7 Current safety processes

5.8 The system of the future

5.9 The ultimate avionics computer

5.10 System–crew interaction

5.11 Conclusions

Chapter 6: The environment as the key design driver in aeronautics

Abstract:

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Economic efficiency

6.3 Environmental impact

6.4 The characteristics of the aeroplane

6.5 What determines the value of the energy liberated to revenue work ratio (ETRW)?

6.6 Observations on the ETRW

6.7 Aircraft performance

6.8 Where does it all go? Explaining the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work

6.9 Improving the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work

6.10 Addressing the climate issue

6.11 Conclusions

6.12 Acknowledgements

Chapter 7: The human factors that relate to technological developments in aviation

Abstract:

7.1 Introduction to human factors as a discipline

7.2 Human factors in a socio-technical system context

7.3 A history of human factors

7.4 Recent developments and current trends

7.5 Future trends

7.6 Conclusion

Chapter 8: Innovation in supersonic passenger air travel

Abstract:

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Historical background

8.3 Operational issues

8.4 Technological issues: sonic boom

8.5 Technological issues: aerodynamics

8.6 Technological issues: airworthiness

8.7 Manufacturers and design organisations

8.8 Conclusion

8.9 Acknowledgement

Part II: Change

Chapter 9: The process of innovation in aeronautics

Abstract:

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Definitions and sources of confusion

9.3 How to measure innovation

9.4 The innovation process

9.5 Innovation environments

9.6 Innovation viewed as a management of knowledge problem

9.7 Whole systems view of innovation

9.8 Conclusion: innovation processes of the future

Chapter 10: Managing innovative technology development in aeronautics: technology assessment (TA) techniques

Abstract:

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Methods and limitations

10.3 Approach and example

10.4 Conclusion

10.5 Abbreviations

Chapter 11: Mining the ‘far side’ of technology to develop revolutionary aircraft prototypes: the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) approach

Abstract:

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) philosophy and structure

11.3 DARPA and innovation in aviation

11.4 Examples of DARPA innovation in aviation

11.5 DARPA’s aviation-related programs

11.6 Conclusions

Chapter 12: Revolutionary ideas about the future of air transport

Abstract:

12.1 The mind set to find revolutionary solutions

12.2 Technological change

12.3 A framework for assessing revolutionary ideas

12.4 Carrying forward requirements into design

12.5 Telecommunications and IT in society

12.6 The revolution – far beyond the air vehicle

Part III: Challenges

Chapter 13: Intellectual property, patents and innovation in aeronautics

Abstract:

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Commentary on likely future trends

13.3 Creativity and innovation as a mechanism for capturing intellectual property

13.4 Intellectual property and patenting

13.5 Converting patents into products

13.6 Establishing patent value

13.7 Trends driving innovation within the commercial aerospace industry

13.8 The switch from aluminum to composites

13.9 Conception of AMP equipment

13.10 AMP equipment definitions

13.11 Evolution of AMP equipment

13.12 AMP equipment family tree

13.13 Conclusion

13.14 Sources of further information

13.16 Appendix: AMP acronym list

Chapter 14: Cost, time and technical performance risk mitigation in large, complex and innovative aeronautics development projects

Abstract:

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Interdependence of development cost, schedule, and technical performance

14.3 The aspect of risk

14.4 An integrated decision-support model – the risk value method (RVM)

14.5 Example: an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) development project

14.6 Discussion

14.7 Conclusion and future trends

14.8 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 15: Innovation in aeronautics through Lean Engineering

Abstract:

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Dynamics of innovation

15.3 Lean Thinking

15.4 Lean Thinking and aerospace

15.5 Lean Engineering framework

15.6 Tailoring Lean Engineering

15.7 Lean Engineering challenges

15.8 Summary

15.9 Acknowledgments

Part IV: Conclusion

Chapter 16: Conclusion: innovations in aeronautics

Abstract:

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Innovation and risk

16.3 Technology readiness levels (TRLs)

16.4 Capturing innovation and disruptive technologies

16.5 Key design drivers

16.6 Moving from concept to implementation

16.7 Computer-assisted engineering and design

16.8 The innovation process

16.9 Developing a culture of innovation

16.10 Innovation ‘agendas’

16.11 Education and innovation

Glossary

Index