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Innovation in aeronautics

Edited by T Young, University of Limerick, Ireland and M Hirst, Airport Planning and Development Ltd, UK

 - explores a range of innovative aerospace design ideas
 - discusses how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed
 - reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers and developments underpinned by digital technologies
 - examines the change, processes and management involved in innovative technology development
 - discusses the challenges faced in aeronautical production, including intellectual property and patents, risk mitigation and the use of lean engineering

Innovation in aerospace design and engineering is essential to meet the many challenges facing this sector. Innovation in aeronautics explores both a range of innovative ideas and how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed.

After an introduction to innovation in aeronautics, part one reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers, and developments underpinned by digital technologies. The environment and human factors in innovation are also explored as are trends in supersonic passenger air travel. Part two goes on to examine change and the processes and management involved in innovative technology development. Challenges faced in aeronautical production are the focus of part three, which reviews topics such as intellectual property and patents, risk mitigation and the use of lean engineering. Finally, part four examines key issues in what makes for successful innovation in this sector.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Innovation in aeronautics is an essential guide for all those involved in the design and engineering of aerospace structures and systems.

ISBN 1 84569 550 X
ISBN-13: 978 1 84569 550 7
June 2012
416 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£145.00 / US$245.00 / €175.00

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About the editors

Trevor Young is Senior Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland.

Mike Hirst is a retired academic and aviation consultant.

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Contents

PART 1 CONCEPTS
PART 2 CHANGE
PART 3 CHALLENGES
PART 4 CONCLUSION

Introduction to innovation in aeronautics
T Young, University of Limerick, Ireland and M Hirst, Independent consultant, UK
 - Introduction
 - Concepts
 - Change
 - Challenges

PART 1 CONCEPTS

Biologically inspired technologies for aeronautics
Y Bar-Cohen, NASA, USA
 - Introduction
 -  Biologically inspired or independent human innovation
 -  Nature as a source of innovation in aerospace
 -  Biologically inspired mechanisms and systems
 -  Robotics as beneficiary of biomimetic technologies
 -  Conclusion – challenges and potential development
 -  Acknowledgement
 -  References

Aircraft morphing technologies
W Huebsch, West Virginia University and R Guiler, Physical Sciences Inc, USA
 - Introduction: early aircraft morphing developments
 - Keeping morphing alive - NASA research in morphing aircraft structures
 - Resurgence of morphing concepts
 - Current morphing component technologies
 - Conclusion: the future of aircraft morphing technologies
 - References

Jet engine design drivers: past, present and future
R Singh, G Ameyugo and Dr F Noppel, Cranfield University, UK
 - Introduction
 - Technological drivers
 - New challenges
 -  Meeting the challenges through innovation
 - Conclusion
 - References

Innovation in avionic systems: developments underpinned by digital technologies
M Hirst Independent consultant, UK
 - Introduction
 - Cost
 - Capability
 - Demand
 - Timing
 - Future requirements
 - Current safety processes
 - The system of the future
 - The ultimate avionics computer
 - System–crew interaction
 - Conclusions
 - References

The environment as the key design driver in aeronautics
I Poll, Cranfield University, UK
 - Introduction
 - Economic efficiency
 - Environmental Impact
 - The characteristics of the aeroplane
 - What determines the value of the energy liberated to revenue work ratio (ETRW)?
 - Observations on the ETRW
 - Aircraft performance
 - Where does it all go? Explaining the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work
 - Improving the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work
 - Addressing the climate issue
 - Conclusions
 - Acknowledgements
 - References

The human factors that relate to technological developments in aviation
D Harris, HFI Solutions Ltd, UK
 - Introduction to human factors as a discipline
 - Human factors in a socio-technical system context
 - A history of human factors
 - Recent developments and current trends
 - Future trends
 - Conclusion
 - References

Innovation in supersonic passenger air travel
H Smith, Cranfield University, UK
 - Introduction
 - Historical background
 - Operational issues
 - Technological Issues: Sonic Boom
 - Technological issues: aerodynamics
 - Technological issues: airworthiness
 - Manufacturers and design organisations
 - Conclusion
 - Acknowledgement
 - References

PART 2 CHANGE

The process of innovation in aeronautics
M Henshaw, Loughborough University, UK
 - Introduction
 - Definitions and sources of confusion
 - How to measure innovation
 - The innovation process
 - Innovation environments
 - Innovation viewed as a management of knowledge problem
 - Whole systems view of innovation
 - Conclusion: innovation processes of the future
 - References

Managing innovative technology development in aeronautics: technology assessment (TA) techniques
R Henke, RWTH Aachen, Germany
 - Introduction
 - Methods and limitations
 - Approach and example
 - Conclusion
 - Aabbreviations

Mining the ‘far side’ of technology to develop revolutionary aircraft prototypes: the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) approach
J R Wilson, freelance writer, USA
 - Introduction
 - Defense advanced research projects agency’s (DARPA) philosophy and structure
 - DARPA and innovation in aviation
 - Examples of DARPA innovation in aviation
 - DARPA’s aviation-related programs
 - Conclusions
 - References

Revolutionary ideas about the future of air transport
M Hirst, Independent consultant, UK
 - The mind set to find revolutionary solutions
 -  Technological change
 - A framework for assessing revolutionary ideas
 - Carrying forward requirements into design
 - Telecommunications and IT in society
 - The revolution – far beyond the air vehicle
 - References

PART 3 CHALLENGES

Intellectual property, patents and innovation in aeronautics
D A McCarville, Boeing, USA
 - Introduction
 - Commentary on likely future trends
 - Creativity and innovation as a mechanism for capturing intellectual property
 - Intellectual property and patenting
 - Converting patents into products
 - Establishing patent value
 - Trends driving innovation within the commercial aerospace industry
 - The switch from aluminum to composites
 - Conception of AMP equipment
 - AMP equipment definitions
 - Evolution of AMP equipment
 - AMP equipment family tree
 - Conclusion
 - AAMP acronym list

Cost, time and technical performance risk mitigation in large, complex and innovative aeronautics development projects
T Browning, Texas Christian University, USA
 - Introduction
 - Interdependence of development cost, schedule, and technical performance
 - The Aspect of risk
 - An integrated decision-support model—the risk value method (RVM)
 - Example: an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) development project
 - Discussion
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References

Innovation in aeronautics through lean engineering
E Murman, MIT, USA
 - Introduction
 - Dynamics of innovation
 - Lean Thinking
 - Lean Thinking and aerospace
 - Lean Engineering framework
 - Tailoring Lean Engineering
 - Lean Engineering challenges
 - Summary
 - Acknowledgments
 - References

PART 4 CONCLUSION

Conclusion: innovations in aeronautics
T Young, University of Limerick, Ireland, and M Hirst, Independent consultant, UK
 - Introduction
 - Innovation and risk
 - Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)
 - Capturing innovation and disruptive technologies
 - Key design drivers
 - Moving from concept to implementation
 - Computer-assisted engineering and design
 - The innovation process
 - Developing a culture of innovation
 - Innovation ‘agendas’
 - Education and innovation
 - References