Additive Molding technology revolutionizes autonomous drone design
Arris’ Additive Molding process uses consolidated glass/carbon fiber airframe to optimize performance and reduce costs to produce Skydio X2 drone for industrial, consumer and defense use.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
EHang to demonstrate eVTOL medical air mobility via SAFIR-Med project
Project intends to demonstrate AAV use cases for emergency medical transport, and potentially advance and refine current U-space services for unmanned aircraft in European airspace.
Development of dry fiber preforms and other technologies for Smart Rotors
Airborne, KVE Composites, RHIA, Royal NLR and TU Delft partner in EU project for ultra-efficient propeller/rotor blades in hybrid and electric aircraft, UAM and drones.
Solvay to develop composite structure for Vertical Aerospace eVTOL aircraft
Composite and adhesive technologies will be supplied to Vertical Aerospace for a zero-emissions, all-electric prototype scheduled for a September 2021 test flight.
Volansi VTOL drone delivery leader and composite manufacturer Quickstep sign MoU
The two companies will promote Volansi drones to commercial, defense markets and discuss Quickstep’s proprietary AeroQure process for drone production.
Study suggests U.S. AAM market could reach $115 billion by 2035
Deloitte, Aerospace Industries Association report indicates a defined national strategy is required to transform the U.S. commercial aircraft sector.
AeroVironment to acquire Acturus UAV, maker of CFRP-intensive T-20
Transaction drives growth, broadens capabilities and customer footprint, and positions both companies for next-gen programs.
FASTIGUE: Empowering digital twins of large-scale composite structures
A 3D finite element technique to resolve the fidelity-versus-speed dilemma of performing fatigue analysis for large composite structures.
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.
Airbus concludes Zephyr HAPS flight test campaign
The composites-intensive Zephyr HAPS satellite is a stratospheric unmanned aerial system, which, with this recently successful flight test, is one step closer to providing local satellite-like services.
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.
SHD, Piran contribute advanced composite capabilities to UAV platforms
SHD Composites has supplied advanced composite materials, and tooling, and Piran its manufacturing capabilities, for projects developed by Prismatic Ltd. and BAE Systems.
CAAC announcement accelerates EHang UAM services
The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced the first Unmanned Civil Aviation Experimental Zones (UCAEZs) for the development of an unmanned civil aviation industry.
Thinking machines
Algorithm-based artificial intelligence, once only imagined, is here. It can do a lot of good.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
AeroVironment completes successful Sunglider HAPS stratospheric test flight
During the 20-hour test flight, the solar-powered high-altitude pseudo-sattelite (HAPS) surpassed 60,000 feet in altitude and demonstrated broadband mobile connectivity.
Teal Group releases 2020/2021 world civil UAS market profile and forecast
The company’s forecast predicts worldwide civil drone production will more than triple over the next decade despite the pandemic.
Plasan North America expands composite manufacturing solutions
The company plans to expand and invest in automated cutting technology to go with established prepregging, pultrusion and autoclave cure expertise.
UAMMI, ElectraFly to make 3D-printed UAM aircraft parts
The Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative and a Utah-based aviation company to 3D-print CFRP parts for urban air mobility aircraft.
AFRL evaluates braiding, SMP tooling and VARTM for lower-cost future engine inlet ducts
U.S. Air Force and Ohio-based composites team develop new process for S-shaped aerostructure.
Kanfit coping with COVID-19 and managing growth using Composites 4.0 systems
Bluetooth sensors and AI track parts and tools, save time and suggest production line improvements.
Boron fiber: The original high-performance fiber
History and future developments for high-performance boron fiber.
UAMMI selects new executive director
The Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative has selected commercial aerospace industry veteran Dr. Tulinda Larsen for the position.
Wind energy: Gale force growth ahead
Columnist Dale Brosius addresses recent accomplishments, forecasts and recycling challenges affecting the wind energy industry — and composites use within it.
JEC World 2020 preview: Biteam
Biteam, a 3D weaving specialist, is featuring a new carbon fiber-based, small, cross-sectioned, profiled, tapered tube reinforcement for producing a stiff and lightweight composite structure.
JEC World 2020 preview: COBRA International
COBRA is exhibiting its latest foiling board technology and is presenting its process for recycling and reusing epoxy resin windsurf parts.
Solvay launches epoxy prepreg for aerostructures compression molding
Solvay Composite Materials has launched CYCOM EP2750, a new highly drapable epoxy prepreg designed specifically for the compression molding of high-quality, high-rate, cost-effective primary and secondary aerostructures.
The coming decade: Clarity with a strong dose of uncertainty
Columnist Dale Brosius considers the potential and uncertain role of composites in aerospace, automotive and other markets in the coming decade.
