About the session
11.00 - 11.45
Professor Geoff Gibson, Unviersity of Newcastle
Key technologies for next generation aircraft, a jointly organised by the Aerospace TPN and the Aerospace local network, looks at shaping the future of next generation aircraft with manufacturers and operators of commercial and defence aircraft moving towards more electric aircraft and hybrid electric aircraft.
There is an increased interest amongst manufacturers and operators of commercial and defence aircraft to move towards more electric aircraft and hybrid electric aircraft. More electric aircraft replaces the traditional hydraulic flight actuators with a combination of electrical and smaller hydraulic systems, and may also include electrical generators coupled onto the gas-turbine engines shaft line to generate electrical power to drive on-board auxiliary loads. Alternatively, the hybrid electric powered aircraft is designed to deliver electric thrust, potentially providing significant improvement in emissions and efficiency.
In conjunction, the industry is using data analytics to improve availability of aircrafts & engines. There is opportunity to reduce operational cost through proactive, rather than reactive maintenance. Smarter analytics together with integration of various data sources provides a significant potential to reduce fuel consumption.
Lastly, advances in composites and new materials are changing the airframe and primary structures driven by the significant weight saving potential in comparison to its aluminium counterparts.
Advances in the above key technologies are shaping the future of next generation aircraft.
