As has been the case with so many industries, the United States continues to lead the world in current aerospace programs, technology and research. It goes without saying that an essential element of this dominance has long been the ongoing partnership between the federal government and those American private contractors who provide the raw materials, technical know-how and outstanding workmanship behind the nation’s aeronautical achievements. Long before individual companies decided to provide launch vehicles for NASA’s space projects, American businesses contracted with the government to achieve our national aerospace aims. Today, U.S. manufacturing interests are involved in a series of marvelous new technological advances that might seem like science fiction if they are not already in the process of taking to the heavens. It is worthwhile to reflect on some of the more exciting possibilities that are in the process of becoming realities.
Beyond Past Accomplishments and Current Plans
Before discussing these daring concepts, it is worth pausing to note that America’s aerospace industry in the past 60 years has transformed the world. From sending men to the moon and spacecraft beyond the solar system, it has reshaped transportation, enabled instantaneous global communication and shored up national security in ways never previously conceived. The technologies listed here are merely the next step in our ongoing efforts to actualize the fullest potential of aerospace achievement. Yet, the most important reality of all is the recognition that we must already begin envisioning the future of our aerospace needs for the remainder of the 21st Century. Visionary business leadership, such as provided by Zach Mottl Atlas Tool CAO, is a key resource for continued American aerospace primacy.
Potential Cutting-Edge Advancements
These new advances are powerful and amazing in more ways than one. They will all have direct application to aircraft and aerospace development. Beyond that, many of these technologies are also being incorporated into other industries.
- Faster than sound travel. The retirement of the Concorde aircraft was in part a recognition that previous technology had trouble making supersonic travel profitable. New materials and sound control promise to make these new planes sleek, quiet and almost twice the speed of sound.
- Unmanned planes. Actually, these already exist. They are called drones and their potential is vast. For cargo and passenger planes, this technology is termed autonomous flight. In the same way flying is safer than driving, pilotless planes will be safer than self-driving cars.
- Self-prescribed maintenance. Do you know how your car tells you when it needs an oil change? Tomorrow’s planes will keep track of every aspect of their maintenance needs. They will even ground themselves when necessary for your safety. How will they accomplish this? In part, they will utilize NDE (non-destructive evaluation) sensors built into them to instantly, continually monitor the health of every part of the plane. This is as well an application of AI, artificial intelligence.
- 3-D printing. The manufacturing of identical mechanical parts, it is said, was the true beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Now, this process is being supplanted by printers that can create a perfectly programmed part out of material that is lighter and stronger than aluminum. This not only revolutionizes the production of parts but also gives the aerospace industry new freedom with lighter substances from which to make aircraft.
Technology Is an On-Going Race
The marvels of today’s technology and the promise of the startling changes it can bring are enough to stop you in your tracks. In a way, that is a problem. Technological advancement is an ongoing process from which our nation cannot rest. For the wonders of America’s aerospace achievements to continue apace, the elements that have produced past successes must persist: corporate partnership with government, brilliant research minds and the recognition that other nations are working diligently to copy and surpass our accomplishments.
American ingenuity, productivity and persistence are those priceless resources that continue to define us as a nation. The sky-high excellence of our aerospace program is one clear example of this.
