Aviation Trends For the 21st Century

National Aviation Day is August 19^th, which is the birthday of Orville Wright, considered the pioneer of modern air travel. Today’s aircraft are far faster, able to carry higher payloads, and more comfortable than the aircraft of yesterday. Many of the advances in aircraft, as well as the infrastructure around air travel, stem from rapid advances in electronics, communications, materials, and other technologies.

Here are some examples of how various technologies are transforming aviation, not only inside the plane but also in systems guiding air travel.

Integration Shrinks Avionics Systems

Thanks to design and processing improvements, today’s avionics systems use far more integrated circuits and modules than previously. The development of the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) architecture has increased component and system consolidation is joining multiple avionics functions into fewer hardware platforms. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels. As a result, avionics systems are lighter, consume less power, and cost less than before.

Popular aircraft from Boeing, Airbus, and other manufacturers use IMA architectures. One example is Collins Aerospace’s Mosarc, an open architecture based on a battle-proven family of subsystems. The architecture eases integration, speeds design, and reduces supplier risk.

Related:Aircraft Computers Power Up to Handle AI

Autonomous and Unmanned Systems

As artificial intelligence and machine learning advance, looking out for more autonomous flight systems, which could eventually lead to fully autonomous commercial aircraft.

In 2022, Lockheed Martin conducted a successful test of its autonomous S-70 Black Hawk helicopter, running it through a full slate of movements. The industry hopes autonomous aircraft can reliably run critical missions and help detect and prevent dangerous situations, potentially saving human lives.  You can view a video here.

The growing use of drones and unmanned aircraft in both military and civilian sectors is pushing the development of specialized avionics systems to ensure safe and efficient integration into airspace.

3D Printing

Aerospace was a very early adopter of 3D printing and continues to use it for spare parts printing, as it means lower costs, faster lead times, and more flexible design and development methods. Interior elements like cabin brackets, air vents, and ducting systems, engine components, including nozzles, exhaust parts, and certain combustion chamber elements, can be 3D printed.

Related:Purdue’s Virtual Twin for Additive Manufacturing Is Helping to Refine 3D Printing of Tools for Large Aircraft Parts

There are increasing instances of 3D printing in parts of jet engines, or in a few cases even the entire jet engine. Last year, PTC demonstrated a micro turbojet engines that was printed as a complete 3D assembly, including all stationery and rotating components.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Not surprisingly, AI and ML are playing an increasing role in avionics. For one, AI and ML algorithms are being used to predict potential failures in avionics systems before they occur, allowing for more proactive maintenance strategies.

In addition, AI-driven decision support systems can assist pilots and air traffic controllers by analyzing vast amounts of data and providing real-time recommendations.

In the future, AI and ML will continue to advance toward fully autonomous flight operations, enabling aircraft to make real-time decisions, optimize routes, and handle complex scenarios with minimal human intervention.

As avionics systems become more connected, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions will be essential to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats in real time.

SAE International recently released a video titled, “How AI is Redefining the Aerospace Industry,” where Siemens’ Todd Tuthill, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense Industry, explores how the company is using AI in a myriad of aerospace-related design and development activities.

Advanced Navigation and Communication Systems

Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) are enhancing the accuracy and reliability of GPS, providing better guidance and navigation capabilities, especially in remote areas. According to the site European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), SBAS improves the accuracy and reliability of GNSS positioning by correcting signal measurement errors and by providing integrity information, allowing each user to get a highly reliable bound of its residual positioning error. In case such residual positioning error becomes too large, the user is alerted within a few seconds.

The video below discussed SBAS in detail.

The EUSPA site noted that many countries and regions have implemented their own Satellite-based Augmentation System, including WAAS in the USA, GAGAN in India, MSAS in Japan or KASS in South Korea.

In addition, advanced communication systems are being developed to support the NextGen ATM initiatives, which aim to improve the efficiency and safety of air traffic management globally.

Digital Twins and Virtual Avionics

Just as digital twins are transforming many earthbound functions, the use of digital twin technology to virtually replicate physical systems could be helpful in designing, testing, and maintaining avionics systems. These models can simulate real-world conditions, allowing for advanced testing and optimization before deployment.

Laura Szypulski, director of digital transformation strategy at Northrop Grumman, noted that  digital twin technology can be used to test and refining early system designs in a virtual environment as well as predicting degradation of fielded antenna systems against critical mission requirements. Digital twin technology can help engineers optimize design for cost or manufacturing factors.

Virtual avionics systems will enable continuous real-time monitoring and diagnostics, improving reliability and reducing the risk of unexpected failures.

Mixed Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) could make their way into future human-machine interfaces to provide pilots with enhanced situational awareness, training, and operational support.

According to a blog post on the site einfochips.com, AR can help pilots with real-time information about the aircraft’s surroundings, such as weather conditions, other aircraft, and terrain. AR can also be used by companies providing avionics engineering services to assist technicians in performing maintenance tasks by providing real-time instructions and information on the aircraft components.

The blog post added that VR immerses the person in an all-digital environment that can be used for flight training and simulation. Pilots and other crew members can use VR simulators to practice various scenarios in a safe and realistic environment, without the need for an actual aircraft. VR can also be used to train air traffic controllers, providing them with a more realistic simulation of the airspace.

Sustainability and Green Avionics

The interest in reducing emissions from aircraft has led to increased research and development on craft hydrogen fuel cells or advanced electric propulsion systems. Hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft are under development and undergoing testing.

NASA has an electrified powertrain flight demonstration (EPFD) project that is testing electrified powertrains for small, regional aircraft carrying under 100 passengers, as well as single-aisle commercial airliners designed for around 180 passengers and operating longer-distance flights. 

More attention is also being paid to developing more environmentally-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Other sustainable aviation technologies include advanced fuel management systems, emission monitoring, and energy recovery systems.

Pratt and Whitney Aircraft recently conducted a successful test of its V2500 engine running on HEFA-SPK – a sustainable aviation fuel derived from reclaimed fats that produces far less carbon dioxide when burned.  Pratt and Whitney, among other aircraft manufacturers, has been testing its jet engines on more environmentally-sustainable fuels in a quest to reduce carbon emissions.

Digital Communications Take Hold

The Internet of Things (IoT) trends that have taken over many earthbound systems are likewise emerging thousands of feet above ground. The IoT is enabling real-time data exchange between aircraft and ground stations. The greater availability of robust data in turn supports predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and improved passenger experiences.

At the same time, Wireless Avionics Intra-Communications (WAIC) systems are reducing the need for physical wiring within the aircraft. This is further enhancing flexibility, reducing weight, and improving overall system reliability.

Communication Systems Move to 6G

The trend towards 6G and other advanced communication technologies will enhance the speed, reliability, and bandwidth of data transmission between aircraft, satellites, and ground stations. This will enable more sophisticated in-flight services, real-time data exchange, and improved connectivity for passengers.

In addition, aircraft may increasingly use mesh networking technologies to communicate with each other and ground stations, improving network resilience, reducing latency, and enhancing overall communication capabilities.