Tag: aerospace engineering

As Aerospace Prioritizes AI, Aviation Experts Ask, “What Problems Are We Trying to Solve?”

FROM THE INSTITUTE
The first Forum 360 panel at AIAA AVIATION Forum asked a simple question when it comes to AI’s growing role in aerospace: What problems are we trying to solve? That conversation featured several answers from experts representing major aerospace OEMs, defense primes, and the U.S. Air Force’s main research lab that set the tone for the rest of the week’s programming.

Navy Air Boss to AIAA AVIATION Attendees: Build Reliability, Safety, and Right‑to‑Repair into the Next Generation of Airpower

FROM THE INSTITUTE
When U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Doug (V8) Verissimo stepped onto the plenary stage, he wore his operational flight suit rather than a more formal Navy uniform. “This uniform is where our warfighters exercise the equipment, the technology, the advancements,” he told the room of aerospace engineers, research scientists, and executives from industry, academia and the services. “It’s the part of the job that keeps me up at night, that these systems and capabilities function as advertised.”

Aviation’s Next Transformation: NASA AACES Studies Point Toward 2050

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Three aerospace teams working under NASA contracts have independently concluded that reaching NASA’s ambitious efficiency and environmental targets for new commercial airlines in 2050 requires moving away from tube-and-wing aircraft configuration that has defined commercial flight for six decades.

Growing Launch Demand Revives Interest in Offshore Rocket Operations

Space News reports, “Concerns that America’s launch infrastructure may not keep pace with rising demand are reviving interest in an unconventional workaround: sea-based rocket launch. Long viewed as a technically difficult niche with a history of commercial failure, companies and defense officials are giving offshore launch a second look as they search for ways to expand United States launch capacity.”
Full Story (Space News)

Air Force Nears Solution to KC-46 Pegasus Vision System Problems

Aviation News reports, “The U.S. Air Force believes it has finally identified a solution to the long-standing problems affecting the KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tanker’s Remote Vision System (RVS), a critical component used during midair refueling operations. The announcement came during a Senate subcommittee hearing, where Air Force Secretary Troy Meink expressed confidence that the issue is nearing resolution.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

NASA Advances Quiet Supersonic Travel as X-59 Exceeds Mach 1

Aviation News reports, “NASA’s X-59 QueSST experimental aircraft has successfully completed its first supersonic flight, marking a significant step forward in the development of quieter high-speed air travel. The aircraft exceeded the speed of sound on June 5, 2026, as part of its ongoing flight-test program in the United States.”
Full Story (Aviation News)

Norway Seaplane Startup Prepares for Propulsion Tests

FROM THE INSTITUTE
NOEMI Aerospace of Norway is targeting “this summer” to begin testing the propellors for a planned nine-passenger electric seaplane, with the goal of beginning commercial service in 2030, the company’s chief engineer said in an interview.

AFRL, Newly Reorganized, Seeks to Take More Risk ‘Smartly’ to Speed Development

FROM THE INSTITUTE
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, which reorganized in late April, wants to take more risk and better integrate to move faster, according to the chief scientist of its new air warfare directorate. Speaking on a Monday panel here, Venke Sankaran said AFRL is focused on accelerating the speed of development while reducing costs, and advancing a range of next-generation technologies, from autonomy to hypersonics.