The companies within the aerospace sector continue their drive to evolve towards more innovative products and working methodologies. What trends will shape the development of new solutions in this industry? Here are the most notable ones.

When we talk about a specialty within the industry that is often seen as an example of innovation and technological advancement, the aerospace sector is frequently the one that comes to mind.

Its technical complexity and high level of competition demand the utmost from R&D managers in these companies, resulting in advancements that, just a few years ago, would have seemed like science fiction. These breakthroughs also serve as models for application in other productive sectors.

In this article, we present some of the main innovations in which the aerospace industry is currently immersed. Will you join us on this journey to a future that is closer than it may seem?

1.- Innovating in fuels

One of the reasons the aerospace sector has recently been in the public spotlight is because of what it can do to mitigate the effects of climate change.

This is primarily due to the aviation industry’s contribution to greenhouse gas precursor emissions, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In fact, according to research published by IOP Science, commercial air transport accounts for 5% of the human-induced climate change.

To make aviation a more environmentally sustainable practice, stakeholders in the aerospace industry are beginning to seriously explore alternatives to fossil fuels.

However, there is still much to improve before we can fly in electric planes. The limited range, charging time, and the fact that it would require a complete reconfiguration of airports and infrastructure are some of the main challenges that arise.

Another interesting project is the LQ-H prototype from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). This prototype uses hydrogen propulsion and lithium batteries, successfully completing its initial tests.

Another option being considered is the use of biofuels, which emit fewer greenhouse gases, are more efficient, and present a more achievable option for the future. Currently, one of their main challenges is large-scale production while maintaining an attractive price.

2.- Use of advanced materials

The aerospace industry is one of the main drivers of advancements in materials science and engineering. The extreme conditions that aircraft are subjected to “force” researchers to develop materials that provide total safety guarantees and performance improvements.

Aerospace manufacturing has gone through various stages in terms of materials. Steel, aluminum and its alloys, composite materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, and nanomaterials have all played a role in the development of different air and space transportation methods.

We must also mention the increasingly prominent role of carbon nanotubes. This material offers excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, making it ideal not only for aeronautics but also for a wide range of industrial applications.

Within this process of innovation regarding materials and components, additive manufacturing and 3D printing also have a lot to contribute, as they facilitate the creation of complex parts. Among its advantages, we highlight:

• It allows the manufacturing of parts with a certain level of complexity that perform advanced functions.
• Better performance of these parts.
• It contributes to more environmentally friendly manufacturing by not using fossil fuels.
• It saves costs in terms of energy consumption.

3.- Data processing and management

In recent years, the concept of Industry 4.0 has become increasingly prominent in the aerospace sector. For its proper development, data from all the processes involved in manufacturing are a fundamental element.

An integrated tool for managing production information is Polaris, which transforms industrial environments into more productive, coordinated, and secure places. Polaris uses cutting-edge technologies such as beacon-based geolocation, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to turn the manufacturing plant into a Smart Factory.

With Polaris, it is much easier to coordinate teams through the intelligent assignment of tasks, as well as to improve product quality by applying the principles of Housekeeping. Lastly, it’s worth noting that it is a modular solution, making it extremely versatile depending on the specific needs of each industry.

4.- The challenge of cybersecurity

The aforementioned significance of data and new technologies in relation to the innovative concept of Industry 4.0 makes factories more vulnerable to malicious cyberattacks.

The aerospace sector must remain highly vigilant regarding the theft and manipulation of sensitive information that they handle, as it provides them with a clear competitive advantage.

To protect traditional computer systems, there is a wide range of solutions available, such as antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IDP).

In contrast, new systems and devices exclusively associated with plant operations, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, do not have as wide a range of protection options, as they are newer technologies.

To understand the importance of secure industrial environments, we can refer to the publication Estado de la Ciberseguridad Industrial en España. According to this report, 227 vulnerability alerts have been reported in the industrial sector, with 199 of them affecting generic devices across all types of industries.

We can also refer to the study Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructures and Industry 4.0 by the Industrial Cybersecurity Center (CCI). It states that industries are at a very low level of maturity in this regard, largely due to the lack of interest from executives in this area and the shortage of properly qualified personnel.

In addition to this, we must consider the fact that Spain is the fifth country in the world with the most systems monitoring plants and industrial processes via the Internet.

The companies within the aerospace sector are filled with concerns and new innovative projects aimed at going further. There are several motivations driving them to continually improve, ranging from social and environmental circumstances to purely competitive factors.

Whatever drives them, at Sixphere, we offer adaptable, effective, and cutting-edge solutions to support the aerospace industry in its quest to stay at the forefront of technology. Would you like to learn more? Let’s talk!

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