The markets: Aerospace (2021)
The coronavirus pandemic, a once-in-a-millennia global catastrophe, has depressed commercial air travel in unprecedented and disastrous ways. Implications start with the airlines themselves and trickle down to major airframers and the entire tier structure of the aerospace supply chain.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Archer and Fiat Chrysler pursue high-volume, composite eVTOL production
Citing low-cost supply chain and advanced composite material capabilities, FCA will help Archer create its first all-electric airline.
LMS to develop composite fuel gauge for Stratolaunch hypersonic test vehicle
Carbon fiber composite fuel probe and signal conditioner unit will meet Mach 6 aircraft speed and intense flight environment requirements.
Agility Prime completes Joby eVTOL airworthiness evaluation report
The U.S. Air Force’s initiative to accelerate the vertical aircraft market lays the groundwork for the use of Joby’s eVTOL equipment for military missions.
Digital design concepts shape next-generation combat aviation
Design processes that typically take months have been completed in days using BAE Systems' digital twin concept when developing the next-generation Tempest aircraft.
Veelo Technologies enhances composite solid rocket motors for tactical missiles systems
Veelo will incorporate its VeeloVEIL and VeeloSTRIKE composite protection materials to help the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division achieve their weight and performance objectives.
FACC begins EHang 216 flight tests
The successful autonomous aerial vehicle flight test earns an experimental flight permit offered by Austrian aviation authorities for future flight test execution.
AFP tow steering comes of age, Part 1: Current state
It used to be enough that AFP systems could precisely and quickly place and cut multiple tows to build complex aerostructures. Now, fabricators need those tows steered, and the tighter the radius, the better.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Toray, Joby Aviation finalize long-term carbon fiber supply agreement
Toray carbon fiber materials will be used throughout the eVTOL aircraft structure, propulsion systems and interior components, with hopes to bring it to commercial operation as early as 2023.
Electra.Aero, Aerion develop global mobility solutions with Aerion ConnectTM
The collaboration aims to advance development of urban and regional transportation networks for faster end-to-end journey delivered in a seamless luxury experience.
Honeywell brings UAM fuel cell expertise in-house
After setting up a business dedicated to urban air mobility, and opening a dedicated R&D lab, Honeywell has now acquired the assets of fuel cell manufacturer Ballard Unmanned Systems.
Boom brings Collins Aerospace onboard for supersonic nacelles
The collaboration focuses on enhancing performance and sustainability via developed inlet, nacelle and exhaust system technologies for supersonic flight.
NASA, Wisk partnership accelerates UAM capabilities
The partnership will initially address critical National Campaign safety scenarios, and create a framework for autonomous passenger flight on a national level.
Unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft performs low-speed taxi test
Reaching maximum speeds of 16 mph on the ground, the low-speed taxi determined the Loyal Wingman’s runaway independence for its maiden flight later this year.
Moving forward on the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator (MFFD)
Clean Sky 2’s MFFD program continues to move toward its goal of delivering a welded, thermoplastic composite fuselage demonstrator using next-generation manufacturing processes.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Episode 34: Carmelo Lo Faro, Solvay Composite Materials
Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay Composite Materials, talks about how he sees aerocomposites evolving in the time of COVID-19, the rise of computational power to evolve composites use, the prospects for increased composites use in the automotive market, and the increasing importance of education in the composites industry.
Victrex, Daher, attain next-gen thermoplastic aircraft panel milestone
The developed panel is a 176-ply laminate, 32-millimeter-thick composite structure and uses Victrex AE 250 PAEK-based thermoplastic composites.
Embraer launches Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions
Like EmbraerX, Eve is dedicated to accelerating the urban air mobility (UAM) market, including the progression and certification of the company’s eVTOL aircraft.
Next-generation composites qualification
Fully digital qualification hasn’t yet arrived, but simulation and analysis software continue to evolve and work together with physical testing practices.
Automated aerocomposites production: Liquid molding or welded thermoplastic?
Two materials and process approaches are demonstrated for CFRP bulkhead production.
Boom rolls out supersonic test aircraft XB-1
Highlighting a 71-foot-long fuselage, carbon fiber composite airframe and a host of other notable features, the demonstrator will now be headed for its ground test program and a 100% carbon-neutral flight test in 2021.
Carbon fiber in pressure vessels for hydrogen
The emerging H2 economy drives tank development for aircraft, ships and gas transport.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
FRAMES: Full-scale thermoplastic composite aircraft rear-end demonstrator
Clean Sky 2 project led by ESTIA-Compositadour will develop enabling technologies for optimum rear fuselage and empennage.
Airbus reveals new zero-emission concept aircraft
The three concepts — all codenamed ZEROe — each represent a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight. The aircraft could enter service by 2035.
Lilium partners with German airports as regional air mobility hubs
The region spanning North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany will act as an ideal starting point for Lilium’s development of networked mobility, including the all-electric Lilium Jet.
Nikkiso, Airbus partner for UltraFan demonstrator project
The project aims to provide nacelle components for the engine UltraFan demonstrator. Nikkiso’s role is to reduce manufacturing costs by a new out-of-autoclave curing method.
Update: Lower wing skin, Wing of Tomorrow
Airbus is evaluating several advanced composites technologies as part of its Wing of Tomorrow program. Among these is liquid resin infusion of the lower wing skin, being developed by Spirit AeroSystems.
European Commission issues call for clean aviation partnerships
Accepting proposals targeting hybrid electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft in 2 demonstration programs to deliver impact by 2030.
