Synthetic environments, network-centric-style air traffic management (ATM) and nano-engineered smart materials are the most important aviation technologies in the medium term, according to experts attending the UK Royal Aeronautical Society's Future for Systems and Aviation conference in London on 16 February.
Synthetic environments will enable aircraft to be designed and tested virtually before entering production; networkcentric ATM envisages aircraft being "active partners" with air traffic control and providing local air turbulence data; and nano-engineered materials could replace aluminium and carbon composites.
"If you could miniaturise [aircraft systems] more there would be many advantages. Nanotechnology will really make a significant change to materials," says Smiths Aerospace's chief engineer for advanced systems and technology, Peter Allsopp.
Source: Flight International
