The aerospace and aviation industry has witnessed various technological trends to overcome critical and basic challenges. Even after 2023, a mixed economic forecast, aerospace engineers will embrace 21st-century technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain to overcome the turbulence in the operational process.
According to the recent report by Deloitte, the orders for the new aircraft and rotorcraft are far below before the pandemic for at least the next 18 months. It affects an entire commercial aerospace supply chain, which includes large original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and small after-market parts companies. Apart from this, every segment of the aerospace sector has been greatly affected in the last 5 years, presenting various challenges to engineers.
As per Gardner Research 2023, the aerospace industry is constantly growing despite supply chain challenges and currently stands at a staggering $ 328 billion. This industry is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 7-8% by the end of 2028. During the next five years, the global market valuation of the aerospace industry will be $430.9 billion.
These figures give a clear idea that this industry will grow rapidly and witness new companies’ participation in the OEM segment. However, the everyday challenges for aerospace engineers implementing new technologies can’t be ignored.
Need for an Appropriate Regulatory Framework
The launch of Sputnik in 1957 was the beginning of the space age. From that time until today, the aerospace industry has witnessed a technological revolution. Some major everyday challenges engineers face are the readiness in tech output, changing customer preferences, compartmentalisation, and the fastest-growing technician trends. As a result, the delivery rate of aircraft from top companies like Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin remains low compared to the forecasted rate.
The 2023 report of the International Aerospace Association predicted that by the end of this year, most regions will exceed the demand by overcoming everyday aerospace engineering challenges. In a final review, the majority of industry experts concluded that there is a need for an appropriate regulatory framework to streamline the operational process.
Aerospace Technologies: Overcoming Everyday Hurdles
Despite the predictions of the aerospace industry’s growth, new technologies and processes will remain critical to overcoming everyday challenges. Manufacturers and contractors will seek a reliable way to cut costs by increasing fuel efficiency. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers found that engineers need to embrace new technologies and keep learning new skills to succeed in this industry.
Smart Automation & Blockchain: The aerospace industry largely relies on automation to overcome daily challenges. Public key encryption via blockchain for data-driven security and network resilience will be crucial to arranging supply chain participants for end customers. Streamlining the supply chain is one of the largest challenges most engineering management face in this industry.
Supersonic Flight Mode: The global need for supersonic flights that travel faster than sound speed also presents a major challenge for aircraft engineers. Emerging aerospace technologies can easily integrate into structural frameworks and allow designers and system engineers to introduce supersonic flight modes, ensuring operational efficiency and lowering downtime.
IoT for Maintenance Issues: Predictive maintenance of aircraft equipment and parts is vital, and modern aerospace technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) mitigate potential damage. For example, engineers leverage IoT to collect data from vibration sensors and ultrasonic devices and simply use various tools. This technology can be used to solve the basic everyday challenges that are related to the data segmentation and analysis process.
Additive Manufacturing: Additive manufacturing or 3D printing can overcome the challenge of seat frameworks and air ducts, which increase the total time for operations. For the aircraft component team, additive manufacturing can create complex shapes and reduce the density of material used. As a result, the overall weight of the component is reduced, which increases an aircraft’s performance in terms of speed, fuel consumption, capacity, etc.
Electric Propulsion Technology: The evolution of the aerospace industry also brings the demand for sustainable travel experiences for customers. In September 2021, Rolls Royce ACCEL launched its Spirit of Aviation electric plane as an effort towards sustainable travel. As per the BBC report, this electric plane uses electric propulsion technology to overcome the fuel consumption challenge. This aerospace technology is widely used by other aircraft manufacturers worldwide.
A Road to a Tech-Oriented Aerospace Industry
Emerging aerospace technologies help various segments of the industry overcome everyday challenges. This industry will rapidly grow in the next decade, presenting various issues for engineers and company leaders. However, technologies like AI, ML, IoT, and blockchain can be saviours if learned and implemented carefully. Support from the top management and government agencies will help people in the aerospace industry grow and leverage ever-evolving technologies successfully.
