The Aerospace industry is continuously developing new technologies and moving forward at a high pace. While digitization, automation, and improved maintenance were the main drivers in the last few years, trends and innovations keep reshaping the industry. The need for fuel efficiency as well as developments in digitization and new materials result in increasingly advanced methods and processes.
Key developments
- Digitization
As communication between aircrafts and data handling are key areas of development within the aerospace industry, the innovation of software systems is heavily on the rise. Therefore, digitization plays a significant role in the industry's development. It not only ensures a faster design-to-delivery process but also allows companies in aerospace to stay agile and up to date. The use of augmented virtual reality and big data enable the aviation industry to manage demand and implement predictive maintenance. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of machine learning offer new insights into materials by analysing patterns and relations in the data. It can handle problems of high complexity within a fraction of the time a human would need to process information. In conclusion, improved communication between all stakeholders, optimized engineering processes, as well as data-intensive solutions help to avoid bottlenecks and increase efficiency, making processes quicker and less expensive.
- Innovative Materials
In the new age of the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a growing demand for innovative materials. The trend is to make them lightweight, strong, and agile. Enhancing chemical solutions for bonding and protection of composite structures as well as 3D printing are part of this process. One material that shows the potential to contribute to material innovation is micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) for example. Studies show, that the strength can be tripled when incorporating MFC into polylactic acid (PLA) while staying lightweight. Additionally, it allows the incorporation of sensors into composites and creating smart objects which is integral for the future of IoT.
- Electrification and Urban Air Mobility
When it comes to fuel and emissions, there is a high need for efficiency with the ambition to decarbonize the entire aviation industry. Airbus developed concepts for zero-emission aircrafts relying on hydrogen as a primary power source. The use of electricity not only reduces the aircraft's carbon footprint but also removes the weight and complexity of traditional hydraulic systems. Taking developments in this area even further, autonomous flight technologies are a growing trend in aerospace. The so-called urban air mobility includes air taxis, air metros, and drones that could be used as means of delivery and emergency services.
Future outlook
Aerospace companies look for niche suppliers to keep up with the continuous developments in aerospace technology and expand their supply chain, presenting a great opportunity for small to medium-sized manufacturers. Seize this opportunity by staying up to date and taking advantage of all the aerospace industry has to offer.
The aerospace industry's complexity can be challenging, but also has a lot of potential. EuroDev can give you the support needed to expand your business to Europe.
About EuroDev
EuroDev was established in 1996 in the Netherlands with a single, defined purpose to help mid-sized North American companies expand their business in Europe. So far, we have partnered up with over 500 companies and helped them define and meet their European business goals. Services provided include Sales Outsourcing, HR Outsourcing, and Digital Marketing.
