Over the past 10 years, the aerospace industry has been marked by a lot of design innovation and technology introduction, starting with the Airbus (Toulouse, France) A380, and followed by the Boeing Co.s (Chicago, IL, US) 787 and the Airbus A350. But there are important changes coming. Were entering a new period, one not so focused on the above but instead on a theme of better, cheaper, faster. The past decade was about innovation; the next will be about productivity, and this change will require different success factors from aerospace suppliers.

Worldwide aircraft production today, across all market segments, is valued at US$180 billion, and should peak at nearly US$210 billion in the year 2021. A slowdown is likely after that. The good news is that aerospace is and will remain a growth market it was the only major capital goods industry that grew through the Great Recession. Large jetliners account for more than half of this market value, and the military segment looks to be on a growth trajectory. But Ive focused on the commercial air transport market, because this is where the clear majority of aerocomposites are used.

Weve been in a very unusual period: An incredibly large number of aircraft orders have been placed over the past few years, and these orders have been driven largely by a combination of high jet fuel prices and the current ultralow cost of capital. Simply put, airlines wanted more efficient aircraft to off set fuel prices, and could afford them. Although jet fuel cost has ebbed since 2012, continuing low interestrates are supporting fleet recapitalization and current aircraft orders. That said, reduced oil prices do impact twin-aisle aircraft, making it less expensive to keep older aircraft flying, which has reduced backlogs for larger twin-aisle planes, such as the 787. The bottom line is that there is currently a record number of orders booked for single aisles, including the newer re-engined versions of the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737. Both Boeing and Airbus want to get to a production rate of 60 single-aisle units per month, because this is where they make their money, given the current weakness in the twin-aisle area.

The Boeing/Airbus duopoly is, in fact, dependent on single-aisle aircraft sales for the vast majority of their profits, which is the motivator for increasing production rates. Yet, the two companies have for years been engaged in a market share competition. As a result, both have offered single-aisle products below list prices, so the realized prices (what air carrier customers have actually paid) for A320s and 737s have remained virtually unchanged since 2002. Some argue that single aisles have become commodities. The two OEMs are now shifting focus to increasing their profits, to as high as 15-20% margins.

Boeing and Airbus are undertaking initiatives that include growth in higher margin services (aftermarket) revenue, which will include new value propositions and, potentially, acquisitions of service companies. Others include aggressive supplier cost reduction through initiatives like Boeings Partnering for Success, plus better labor agreements, more automation and lean programs. In aerostructures, OEM tactics will include part redesigns, a move to lower-cost processes, material substitution, tougher commercial contracts and recapturing more scrap. The bottom line is that were in for a period of extreme focus on cost, that is, reducing costs to pursue profits. Expect more automotive-style operations and practices.

So, what are the implications for suppliers? Typically, the aerospace supply chain includes 30-60 Tier 1 suppliers that are responsible for systems integration; hundreds of Tier 2 suppliers that make principal components; thousands of Tier 3 suppliers responsible for subcomponents, and perhaps 20 to 50 Tier 4 companies that supply materials and processes (metals and composite prepregs). The OEMs prefer to deal only with Tier 1s, so those firms are the primary targets of OEM supply chain initiatives, and theyll face enormous pressure in terms of pricing and selective customer vertical integration. This will lead to continued consolidation of Tier 1s in the coming year. Tier 2s, in turn, will face a downward squeeze from consolidating Tier 1s and upward pressure from Tier 4s, and it will be very important for them to develop what I call a winning business model and a capacity for competitive differentiation. And, there are far too many Tier 3 firms; attrition is a certainty, and consolidation will take place at this level as well. However, in my opinion, consolidation of Tier 4 suppliers is nearly complete (see the Aerospace Supply Chain chart above).

If we look at aerospace raw material demand, which totaled 1.56 billion lb (707 million kg) in 2015, composites demand accounted for 71 million lb (32.2 million kg), or roughly 5% of the total. I expect that composite materials 5% share of demand will grow by 6% per annum through 2020, with titanium close behind at a 4% annual growth rate. The aggregate buy-to-fly ratio is approximately 6:1, for all materials combined. Thanks to design and processing improvements, the composites buy-to-fly ratio is far less, ranging from 1.2:1 to 1.4:1, which helps favor its growth.

Of the aerospace-related events that occurred in 2016, two stand out that appear to validate the contention that changes are coming to this market. Foremost is that Boeing opened its composite wing center in Everett, WA, US. That Boeing brought wing manufacturing back in-house and will keep wing manufacture close to the design process is one big indication that Tier 1s will not have the opportunity to build wings in the future, and will settle for fewer and less profitable projects. Another was the first delivery of the Bombardier (Montreal, QC, Canada) CSeries single-aisle jet, to Swiss Airlines.

It features the industrys first aluminum-lithium alloy fuselage, with composite wings made via infusion. Aluminum-lithium is significantly less dense than aluminum alone, yet is more damage tolerant at lower cost than composites. This might signal some significant material changes in single-aisle jets. The composites industry must gird itself for tougher conditions in supplying aerospace components in the coming years.

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Aerospace composites in the more for less era : CompositesWorld - CompositesWorld

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc., a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (AJRD), announced that Coleman Aerospace today unveiled its new Space Coast Integration & Test Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4afeb53-7cc8-4abb-8381-c478d1f03bdd.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace, Inc. consummated its previously announced acquisition of Coleman Aerospace from L3 Technologies, Inc. earlier today.

With the opening of this innovative facility, we are building on our expertise as a premier launch vehicle provider for missile defense testing, said Dan Kelly, who will serve as interim general manager of Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace.

We are excited to officially establish our Space Coast presence today, marking the culmination of years of collaboration that brought this facility and its needed capabilities to fruition, said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. We look forward to working with Space Florida and the Air Force Space Commands 45th Space Wing in this new facility.

The new facilitys Cape Canaveral Air Force Station location was previously used by the U.S. Air Force for rocket processing. The Air Force Space Commands 45th Space Wing made the facility available to Space Florida to sublease to a company that would bring new work onto Cape Canaveral and create jobs. Coleman Aerospace worked with Space Florida to refurbish the facility so it could be used once again for production.

Key attendees at todays ribbon cutting ceremony included Mr.Stan Thomas (Missile Defense Agency); Colonel Matthew Wallace (U.S. Air Force Space Commands 45th Space Wing); Mr.Jim Kuzma (Space Florida); representatives from the offices of Senator Bill Nelson; Congressman Bill Posey; Congressman Ted Yoho and Senator Dorothy Hukill, and other dignitaries.

Coleman Aerospace, based in Orlando, Florida, provides ballistic missile rockets and launch services for the Missile Defense Agency, as well as engineering and analytical services for other government agencies. Coleman Aerospace has been launching rockets since 1995 with 29 successful flights in 22 years. The first successful air launch of a missile target was accomplished in 1999 using a C-130, but has since adapted the capability to the newer and larger C-17.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at http://www.Rocket.com and http://www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.

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Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace Opens New Facility on Cape Canaveral - Yahoo Finance

Aviation International News

Safran Bullish On Zodiac Deal, Silvercrest and Leap Engines Aviation International News French aerospace group Safran anticipates a busy 2017 with further growth driven by its new generation Leap airliner engines, as well as the long-awaited certification of the Silvercrest business jet powerplant and the prospect of bidding another new ... Safran profit rises 21.7% amid Zodiac rowMarketWatch A Hedge Fund's French ShowdownBloomberg Safran rejects TCI Fund Management's criticism of Zodiac Aero bidReuters Aviation Week all 29 news articles »

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Safran Bullish On Zodiac Deal, Silvercrest and Leap Engines - Aviation International News

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four is moving ahead with plans to offer students training for a career in aerospace engineering.

Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman reported at the February board of trustees meeting that the district is in the initial planning stages for an aerospace engineering and manufacturing magnet school at Edisto High School.

There are two aerospace suppliers in Orangeburg County, Newman said following the meeting. A lot of jobs in the aerospace industry start workers off at salaries ranging from $30,000 to $60,000, he said.

What were trying to do is to address the needs of our county and community, Newman said. The district is holding discussions with local manufacturers so it can provide students with the training they need to get good jobs when they leave school, he said.

We are trying to find a way to build those skills for the students, embed the terminology for the aerospace manufacturing sector, embed soft skills and try to react to the needs that theyre asking for, Newman said.

The district has gotten a commitment from the S.C. Department of Education to help fund a new aerospace content teacher, the superintendent said.

The magnet school will not only prepare students to go on to work in the aerospace field after high school, but it will also lay a foundation for students who want to go on to four-year colleges for a degree in areas like engineering.

The district will be working on budgets and the application process as well as going to other magnet schools across the state to see how they do things, Newman said.

Edisto High was selected to house the magnet school because of its proximity to the Cope Area Career Center, he said.

Newman said he hopes to bring the new curriculum back to the board for approval in time to get the magnet school off the ground by this fall.

In other business, trustees approved an out-of-state trip for the Lockett Elementary School Junior Beta Club. The students will be competing at the National Junior Beta Club Convention in Orlando in June. They qualified to participate in the event by winning the following awards at the state convention in January: first place in Advertising Design Division I, first place in Quiz Bowl Division I, second place in Science Division I and second place in Book Battle Division II.

Trustees also unanimously approved second and final reading of the 2017-18 school calendar. Classes will begin for students on Aug. 22, 2017. The final day of the school year will be June 9. Three makeup days for inclement weather were built into the calendar: Jan. 2, March 30 and June 11.

Newman recognized Bethany Jameson, an Edisto High School student, who won the districts annual Christmas card contest.

He also recognized members of the Branchville High School Lady Jackets volleyball team who were recently named the S.C. High School League Class A champions.

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District 4 may offer aerospace engineering this fall - The Times and Democrat

CHEHALIS (Washington) At this small factory south of Seattle city in the US, employees make one of the most specialised products in the aerospace industry: the rubber mats that Boeing workers stand on while assembling jets.

As long as there are jets and Boeing, business would seem to be steady. But even here, workers are bracing for bumps and economic uncertainty over the gritty details of where aviation parts get made and who makes them.

President Donald Trump has talked about border tariffs and new trade deals that many people in the aerospace industry fear could raise the cost of US jets bought by foreign airlines or governments. And if Boeing's sales or profits suffer, its nerve-system supply chain - more than 13,000 companies across the US and more than 1.5 million jobs - would most likely feel the pain too.

At SmartCells, 50 full-time employees and a few dozen temporary workers stamp out cushion pads on heavy machines. Washington feels far away, but it is on just about everybody's radar.

"Let's hit it with a two-by-four and see how it reacts, then get a plan," said Mr Bob Bishop, the chief operations officer at SmartCells, describing Mr Trump's hard-charging style as being akin to hitting something with a plank of wood. "That doesn't always work."

The anxiety, said Mr Bishop, 46, who voted for Mr Trump, centres on economics, specifically the intense competition with French airplane maker Airbus, which competes with Boeing for jet orders in a delicate game of narrow cost differences and giant contracts.

Mr Trump has said he would seek a 45 per cent tariff on imports from China, for example, to protect US jobs, and a 20 per cent tariff on goods from Mexico. If business costs for Boeing go up as a result, the firm - the nation's largest exporter by dollar volume - probably would not be able to raise prices on its planes to make up the difference as it would lose customers to Airbus.

"It means they may cut jobs," said Mr Kevin Michaels, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, a specialised market analysis company in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Boeing's commercial airplane division last year cut 8 per cent of its US workforce, or more than 6,000 jobs. Some companies in the supply chain, partly because of cost-cutting pressure by Boeing, have shrunk or merged.

Since his election, Mr Trump has harshly criticised Boeing's high price tag for a new Air Force One presidential plane. Boeing, founded in Seattle in 1916, employs about 140,000 people in the US, about half of them in Washington state.

"We've got such a huge network here - anything that curtails exports hurts the entire supply chain," said Mr John Thornquist, director of the aerospace office at the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Firms that sell to Boeing, or sell to other companies that build Boeing components, said that even predicting a trade war was risky, with so many variables - politics, economics, multiple countries - all in play. A modern jetliner can have up to six million components that must be engineered and tested to safety standards, even before assembly starts.

"We're trying to do our best due diligence to put together an assessment, but at this time, the best we can do is just monitor day by day," said Mr Maurizio Miozza, vice- president for development and strategic planning at Umbra Cuscinetti, an Italian firm that makes precision parts for Boeing and has about 100 employees north of Seattle. But, he added, "the picture is not rosy".

Boeing declined an interview request but said in an e-mail statement: "The administration has made it clear that they are pro-economic growth, including in exports and manufacturing jobs. We are engaged with the administration in direct and productive discussion."

NYTIMES

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Trump talk rattles US aerospace industry - The Straits Times

WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--B/E Aerospace, Inc. (the Company) (NASDAQ: BEAV), the worlds leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products, today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per outstanding share of the Companys common stock. The dividend is payable on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2017.

About B/E Aerospace, Inc.

B/E Aerospace is the worlds leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products. B/E Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of products for both commercial aircraft and business jets. B/E Aerospace manufactured products include aircraft cabin seating, lighting systems, oxygen systems, food and beverage preparation and storage equipment, galley systems, and modular lavatory systems. B/E Aerospace also provides cabin interior reconfiguration, program management and certification services. B/E Aerospace sells and supports its products through its own global direct sales and product support organization. For more information, visit the B/E Aerospace website at http://www.beaerospace.com.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The proposed transaction involving Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace is being submitted to the respective stockholders of Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace for their consideration. In connection with the proposed transaction, Rockwell Collins filed a registration statement on Form S-4 that included a joint proxy statement/prospectus for the stockholders of Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace with the SEC. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on February 3, 2017, and a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus has been filed with the SEC on February 3, 2017. Each of Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace are mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective stockholders and, may file other documents regarding the transaction with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY ROCKWELL COLLINS OR B/E AEROSPACE WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Rockwell Collins and/or B/E Aerospace through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders are also able to obtain free copies of the documents filed by Rockwell Collins with the SEC on Rockwell Collins internet website at http://www.rockwellcollins.com or by contacting Rockwell Collins Investor Relations at Rockwell Collins, 400 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52498 or by calling (319) 295-7575. Investors and security holders are also able to obtain free copies of the documents filed by B/E Aerospace with the SEC on B/E Aerospaces internet website at http://www.beaerospace.com or by contacting B/E Aerospaces Investor Relations at B/E Aerospace, Inc., 1400 Corporate Center Way, Wellington, FL or by calling (561) 791-5000.

Participants in the Solicitation

Rockwell Collins, B/E Aerospace and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC.

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B/E Aerospace Board of Directors Declares Quarterly Dividend ... - Business Wire (press release)

One of the world's largest aerospace companies has committed more than 20m to a new production facility in theSheffield City Region in the latest investment coup for the area.

Boeing is to manufacture high-tech components for its next-generation 737, 737 MAX and 777 aircraft. The systems will be used on the trailing edge of wings of these models.

The facility, to be named Boeing Sheffield, will produce actuators in Boeing's first manufacturing facility in Europe.

"The UK provides Boeing with the talent and infrastructure we need to grow and maintain a high level of productivity and quality to meet our significant order book," said Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing UK and Ireland.

"We are proud to expand our relationship with the U.K. still further with Boeing Sheffield. Our decision to start manufacturing high-value components in the UK is a step-change in our engagement and a further example of Boeing's commitment to grow here, supporting the UK's long-term prosperity."

Boeing Sheffield will employ approximately 30 workers when it opens as part of BCA's Fabrication operations and will work closely with Boeing Portland, a center of excellence for complex machining, gear systems and flight controls.

The establishment of Boeing Sheffield will also open up new opportunities for UK suppliers to bid for work.

Subject to local authority and other relevant planning permissions, the proposed 25,000 sq ft Boeing Sheffield facility will be built alongside the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC), the machining and materials research campus founded in 2001 by Boeing and the University of Sheffield.

"This announcement is the culmination of a successful relationship that has developed since the AMRC was founded and reinforces that our region is a leading location for high-value advanced manufacturing," said Professor Keith Ridgway, executive dean of the AMRC with Boeing.

"We look forward to supporting Boeing and continuing to ensure that U.K. manufacturers remain competitive, through access to our expertise here at the AMRC."

Boeing expects to recruit UK employees for the site as early as 2018, capitalising on the skilled workforce in Sheffield as well as the AMRC's capabilities. The business also plans to initiate a major research and development programme with the AMRC to develop new manufacturing techniques that can be applied in the new Boeing Sheffield facility.

The Sheffield City Region Combined Authority will support this through the provision of grant funding, subject to agreeing the formal terms and conditions of that funding.

Earlier this month, luxury supercar maker McLaren Automotive revealed plans to open a 50m manufacturing plant at the AMRC.

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20m aerospace coup for Sheffield City Region - Insider Media

New York Times

Trump Talk Rattles Aerospace Industry, Up and Down Supply Chain New York Times Workers in the SmartCells factory in Chehalis, Wash., this month. The company makes rubber mats for Boeing workers. SmartCells has already diversified, sensing potential trouble in the aerospace industry. Credit Evan McGlinn for The New York Times.

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Trump Talk Rattles Aerospace Industry, Up and Down Supply Chain - New York Times

SpaceX just launched ten Iridium Communications satellites into low-Earth orbit. These satellites will beam phone and data service to tens of thousands of Americans who live or work in areas too remote for regular coverage.

Until recently, blasting bus-sized satellites into space using rockets that can be reused belonged in the realm of science fiction. Now, such activities seem routine.

Policymakers should take note. Americans are set to reap the benefits of aerospace firms' race to tame the Final Frontier -- and the industry's investments in manufacturing will create new jobs and wealth in the United States, not just shuffle around current jobs by moving around government dollars.

Since its inception, the aerospace industry has produced technologies that improve Americans' quality of life. NASA helped invent memory foam, scratch-resistant glasses, insulin pumps and hundreds of other products we use every day.

Now, private companies are driving aerospace innovation. Thanks to satellite Internet firms, airplane passengers can enjoy Wi-Fi while cruising at 30,000 feet. That has made flying more enjoyable -- and far more productive. The technology also makes it possible for Americans in remote areas to access high-speed Internet.

Satellite internet has yet to reach its full potential. The satellite "internet of things" market is expected to grow nearly 20 percent each year through 2022. Improved connectivity -- made possible by new satellites -- will improve the efficiency of a wide range of appliances, not just computers and smartphones.

Launching new satellites to support this increased connectivity would have been far too expensive a few years ago. But today, thanks to California-based SpaceX and Washington-based Blue Origin's advances in rocket manufacturing, the cost of launches has plummeted. The Air Force is showing interest in ultra-low cost access to space, where reusable launch technologies stimulate tactical innovation in space operations.

Next-generation rockets have even made space-based businesses look viable.

Made in Space, a California startup, recently sent a 3D printer to the International Space Station, laying the groundwork for manufacturing in zero gravity. The firm plans to produce optical fiber in space, which would eliminate the microscopic imperfections caused by gravity. This high quality fiber could revolutionize everything from medical devices to telecommunications.

Aerospace firms aren't just spurring technological progress; they're supporting millions of jobs. America's aerospace sector employs over 1.2 million people and indirectly supports an additional 3.2 million jobs.

These jobs are helping to replace losses we've seen in the broader manufacturing sector. While the number of overall American manufacturing jobs dropped 22 percent from 2002 to 2012, jobs in the aerospace industry grew 7 percent. Aerospace exports also generated a trade surplus of over $80 billion in 2015 -- the highest in the manufacturing sector.

Aerospace companies are even leading the charge to revitalize the manufacturing workforce.

Firms are designing their own educational programs, often at community colleges, to train workers. Northrop Grumman, for instance, has partnered with Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California to create a sixteen-week vocational program in aircraft manufacturing. The firm recruits many of the students upon graduation. Such public-private partnerships could serve as a model for manufacturers in other sectors.

Private aerospace companies are strengthening the labor force and pouring billions of dollars into new technologies that will improve Americans lives. That's a reason to cheer every liftoff.

Rebecca Grant, Ph.D., is president of IRIS Independent Research, a public-policy research organization, and director of the Washington Security Forum. She is the former director of the General Billy Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies at the Air Force Association.

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Aerospace Can Make America Great Again - Gilmer Mirror

A high-speed cameraoriginally designed for movie production is now moving from Los Angeles to the laboratory.

Vision Research recently introduced the Phantom Flex4K-GS, a high-speed digital video camera designed specifically for the science, aerospace and defense industries. The camerawhich boasts a 35mm, 9.4-megapixel sensor and global shutteris an updated version of the Flex4K, a full-featured digital cinema camera popular in the film industry.

The biggest differences between the original Flex4K and the Flex4K-GS is its shutter. The original cinema model, which came out in 2014, only has a progressive scan shutter, also known as a rolling shutter, which isnt ideal for science and defense applications. While rolling shutter cameras typically achieve higher dynamic range and lower noise, the way the electronic shutter integrates can create motion artifacts, making high precision measurements impossible. The Flex4K-GS has the ability to switch between global and rolling shutter modes to take advantage of both scenarios.

The customers that wanted to use it as a scientific instrument werent able to use it with a rolling shutter because this makes it so the top and the bottom of the frame are actually being recorded at slightly different times, said Vision Research product manager Toni Lucatorto, in an interview with R&D Magazine. The global shutter records every single pixel at exactly the same moment in time. This makes it more reliable for people that use the cameras with measurement software.

This capability is also important in aerospace applications, as it prevents motion artifacts with propellers, motors and other rotating objects and ensures timing precision throughout the entirety of each frame.

The 4K resolution, a design feature from the original cinema camera, is also helpful for those in the aerospace and defense market, said Lucatorto.

These customers are primarily looking for cameras that will do overview shots of rocket launches, including those in space shuttle development and ballistics, she said. The camera is positioned far away from the subject with a long lens and the user wants as much resolution as possible. The 4K gets them really nice crisp images and they can position the camera far away and still get really good detail on the subject.

Also critical in the defense industry is the cameras ability to operate in extreme temperatures. Its isolated electronics and thermal design allow for operation in environments within the temperature range of -20C to 50C.

There are also many applications for this camera in the science market, said Lucatorto. One industry where she feels it will be particularly useful is microscopy.

If the camera is attached to microscopes and optics that allow you to really get super macro type-shots, the more resolution the better, she said. You can actually resolve things that you would not be able to with a lower-resolution camera.

The cameras high resolution does require tradeoffs regarding frame rate. At its full 4096 x 2304 resolution the camera can capture 938 frames per second (fps). At 4K 4096 x 2160 the frame rate goes up to 1,000 fps and at 2K resolution the camera can capture 1900 fps. The minimum exposure is five microseconds. This frame rate is slower than other high-speed cameras with lower resolutions.

The Flex 4K doesnt go as fast as some of our other models, but our science and defense customers are generally more concerned about the resolution than the frame rate, said Lucatorto. They need more than a typical camera can do, but they dont need the 100,000 frames that some of our other cameras can do.

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Hollywood Camera Gets Makeover for Science, Aerospace, Defense ... - R & D Magazine

IAI successfully tests MRSAM Air and Missile Defense System. (photo credit:COURTESY IAI)

The Indian government has cleared a $2.5 billion deal for its army to buy a medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system from Israel Aerospace Industries, another step toward signing the contract, Indian media reported on Thursday.

The MR-SAM system, jointly developed by Indias Defense Research and Development Organization in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industry, is a land-based configuration of the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) or Barak-8 naval air defense system.

India will use it to replace their countrys aging air defenses.

The missiles are capable of shooting down enemy aircraft at a range of 50-70 kilometers.

Each MR-SAM system includes a command and control system, tracking radar, missiles and mobile launcher systems. Missiles can be fired in single or ripple firing modes from a vertical position, launched in canister configuration. The launcher holds eight canistered missiles in two stacks. A radio frequency seeker can identify a target as friendly or belonging to an enemy.

According to India Today, the Indian Army will induct over five regiments of the MR-SAM missile, which will have around 40 firing units and over 200 missiles of the system.

Delivery of the first system will begin within 72 months of signing the contract and be deployed for operations by 2023.

Following successful tests of the system in July, Israel Aerospace Industries president and CEO Joseph Weiss said, The joint development and the extensive cooperation between the industries in both countries is a testimonial to the strong partnership between the two nations. IAI is proud to lead this impressive cooperation and is highly obligated to its continuing success.

India was the worlds largest importer of major arms from 2012 through 2016, accounting for 13% of global total far greater than regional rivals China and Pakistan, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Over the last five years, defense trade between the two countries has averaged more than $1b. annually.

This year, Israel and India are celebrating 25 years of bilateral diplomatic ties. To highlight the growing bilateral relationship, Narendra Modi is expected to become the first Indian prime minister to visit Jerusalem on a trip planned for this summer.

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India clears major air defense deal with Israel Aerospace Industries - Jerusalem Post Israel News

DART is proud to announce their presence yet again at the world's largest helicopter trade show and exposition, the HAI Heli-Expo Show 2017 that will be held in Dallas, Texas from March 7th to 9th.

DARTS 2017 BOOTH

This year, DART will be featuring an impressive fully-mounted booth, where its team of experts will have the pleasure to present the new and upcoming 2017 products.

Our main priority at HAI will be to follow up with our projects and meet with our clients. The show is a great opportunity to catch up and have all the right players in the same room. We are looking forward to announce and close important deals especially after last years successful outcome. No doubt last year was a great show, we expect an even better one this year, explains Alain Madore, newly appointed President and CEO of DART Aerospace.

DART Aerospace will be exhibiting at the show for all three days, therefore come by BOOTH #8540 to discover how DART Aerospace can help you find the right products for the right mission.

Even better, here are 5 reasons why visiting the DART booth is not-to-be-missed!

1. DART will showcase its 2016 success stories

2. Get the chance to check out their new and improved AW139 specialty equipment

3. Take the opportunity to ask your technical questions to the team of experts

4. See how much they care about their clients

5. Network with colleagues and industry professionals

DART Aerospace is continuously striving to better serve its customers and its team is looking forward to meeting you all at the HAI Heli-Expo 2017 Show.

ABOUT DART AEROSPACE

DART Aerospace is "Mission Ready". A privately held aerospace company, we provide industry-leading design, manufacturing and market-certified solutions for the helicopter and aerospace industry. With an impressive line-up of over 700 STC's and 5,000 products, DART offers a comprehensive portfolio of: aftermarket products, accessories, spare parts and tools for civil and military operators, all major rotorcraft OEMs, completion centers and MR&O facilities. DART's key products include: flotation systems, landing gears, interior and exterior accessories, cargo expansion, external loads, cable cutters and filters. All this, in addition to extensive engineering capabilities and manufacturing centers delivering fast time-to-market solutions with superior customer support in over 120 countries worldwide.

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DART Aerospace Starts the New Year with its Presence at HAI Heli-Expo 2017 - AviationPros.com

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four may offer students training for a career in aerospace engineering as early as this fall.

Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman reported at the February board meeting that the district is working on the initial planning stages for an aerospace engineering and manufacturing magnet school at Edisto High School.

There are two aerospace suppliers in Orangeburg County, Newman said after the meeting. A lot of jobs in aerospace industry start workers off at salaries ranging from $30,000 to $60,000, he said.

What were trying to do is to address the needs of our county and community, Newman said. The district is holding discussions with local manufacturers so it can provide students with the training they need to get good jobs when they leave school, he said.

We are trying to find a way to build those skills for the students, embed the terminology for the aerospace manufacturing sector, embed soft skills and try to react to the needs that theyre asking for, Newman said.

The district has gotten a commitment from the S.C. Department of Education to help fund a new aerospace content teacher, the superintendent said.

The magnet school will not only prepare students to go on to work in the aerospace field after high school, but it will also lay a foundation for students who want to go on to four-year colleges for a degree in areas like engineering.

The district will be working on budgets and the application process as well as going to other magnet schools across the state to see how they do things, Newman said.

Edisto High was selected to house the magnet school because of its proximity to the Cope Area Career Center, he said.

Newman said he hopes to bring the new curriculum back to the board for approval in time to get the school off the ground by this fall.

In other business, trustees approved an out-of-state trip for the Lockett Elementary School Junior Beta Club. The students will be competing at the National Junior Beta Club Convention in Orlando in June. They qualified to participate in the event by winning the following awards at the state convention in January: first place in Advertising Design Division I, first place in Quiz Bowl Division I, second place in Science Division I and second place in Book Battle Division II.

Trustees also unanimously approved second and final reading of the 2017-18 school calendar. Classes will begin for students on Aug. 22, 2017. The final day of the school year will be June 9. Three makeup days for inclement weather were built into the calendar: Jan. 2, March 30 and June 11.

Newman recognized Bethany Jameson, an Edisto High School student, who won the districts annual Christmas card contest.

He also recognized members of the Branchville High School Lady Jackets volleyball team who were recently named the S.C. High School League Class A champions.

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Aerospace engineering may be offered in OCSD4 this fall | News ... - The Tand D.com

Gulfstream supplier LMI Aerospace Inc., once a significant manufacturing presence in Savannah, announced last week that it has entered into a merger agreement to be acquired by Sonaca Group, a global aerostructures company headquartered in Gosselies, Belgium.

This deal brings our combined company to the forefront as a leader in the design and manufacture of complex aerostructures while working to diversify our global customer base, said Dan Korte, LMI Aerospace chief executive officer.

In addition, LMI and Sonaca have complementary product portfolios while largely serving different aerospace suppliers around the world, enabling us to better serve our customers.

Sonaca Group CEO Bernard Delvaux said the addition of LMI supports Sonacas vision of expanding its capabilities in the United States.

Sonaca and LMI have both distinguished themselves in the industry through capabilities such as wing movables, wing panels, complex fuselage and structural assemblies, and together we will be able to strengthen our competitive advantage in the global aerospace market, Delvaux said.

The deal is expected to close mid-2017, subject to LMI shareholder approval as well as certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, according to LMI spokeswoman Amy Horton.

Once everything is finalized, LMI will operate as LMI Aerospace A Member of the Sonaca Group, Horton said, adding that LMI headquarters will remain in St. Louis.

Ups and downs in Savannah

LMI opened its Savannah facility with five employees in 2003. As LMI Kitting LLC, the plant located on Coleman Boulevard focused on building fuselage skin kit assemblies that worked well with local business jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospaces lean, just-in-time manufacturing process.

In 2006, the company added Aviation Partners Boeing as a client, producing a kit that supported the installation of winglets on the Boeing 737, 757 and 767 models. In May of 2011, the Georgia Department of Economic Development named LMI Savannah the Georgia Small Manufacturer of the Year for 2010 a category designed for manufacturers with 150 or fewer employees.

In February of 2012, the facility was named Supplier of the Year for 2011 by Aviation Partners Boeing and, in December of 2012, was named 2012 Manufacturer of the Year by the Savannah Morning News. By the end of 2012, LMIs local presence had grown from 28,800 square feet to 111,400 square feet and 55 employees. That same year, the company added a world-class, $3.2 million machining center, giving it the capability to do high-speed machining of aircraft aluminum.

A rapid decline

While 2012 was a banner year for the company, LMI suffered a reversal of fortune in 2013, reporting losses of $58.5 million compared to a profit of $16.5 in 2012. With those losses spilling over into early 2014, the company was forced to restructure its Savannah operation, shuttering the highly touted machining center it opened a little more than 18 months earlier.

In March of last year, LMI notified 20 of its remaining 32 employees that their positions would be eliminated as the company consolidated more of its assembly workto its St. Charles, Mo., plant.

By the end of April, LMIs Savannah presence was down to 12 employees, where it stands today.

The Savannah operation remains a distribution center in support of Gulfstream, Horton said, adding that she doesnt expect any change here as a result of the merger.

As for the companys cavernous building on Coleman Boulevard, its likely that part of it will be leased to other businesses.

Its a large building and were not using the full space, Horton said. But its proximity to Gulfstream makes it an ideal location for us.

Were not moving.

ABOUT LMI

LMI Aerospace Inc. is a leading supplier of structural assemblies, kits and components and provider of engineering services to the commercial, business and regional, and military aerospace markets. Manufacturing more than 40,000 products for a variety of platforms and providing turnkey engineering capabilities to support aircraft lifecycles, LMI offers complete, integrated solutions in aerostructures, engineering and program management. Headquartered in St. Louis, LMI has 21 locations across the United States and in Mexico, the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.

ABOUT SONACA GROUP

Sonaca Group is a global Belgian company active in the development, manufacturing and assembly of advanced structures for civil, military and space markets. The group is especially known for its capability to design and produce advanced structures such as wing movables and complex fuselages. Headquartered in Gosselies, Belgium, it has production facilities in China, Romania, Canada and Brazil. Sonaca Group also supplies engineering services, large sheet metal elements, wing panels, composite structures and machined components.

ON THE WEB

http://www.lmiaerospace.com

http://www.sonaca.com

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LMI Aerospace merges with Sonaca Group; no change expected in company's Savannah presence - Savannah Morning News

Feb 22 Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc:

* Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc to acquire Coleman Aerospace; expanding into target missile vehicle business

* Deal for $15 million in cash

* Says coleman business is expected to generate approximately $40 million in revenue in 2017

* Coleman business is expected to generate approximately $40 million in revenue in 2017

* Coleman Aerospace will operate as unit of Aerojet Rocketdyne and will be renamed aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace, Inc

* Says transaction is expected to close by end of month

* Coleman will assume new space coast integration & test facility lease at cape canaveral air force station in Florida Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

* Says expects earnings per share ("eps") dilution of approximately $0.19 in 2017

BRASILIA, Feb 23 Brazilian miner Vale SA on Thursday reported net profit of $525 million for the fourth quarter, falling short of analyst expectations after booking impairments.

* Euro zone periphery govt bond yields http://tmsnrt.rs/2ii2Bqr

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BRIEF-Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings to acquire Coleman Aerospace for $15 mln in cash - Reuters

A' Design Award & Competition Announces Final Call for 2017 Entries for A' International Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards

Como, Italy (PRWEB) February 23, 2017

The 7th International Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards is yearly organized by prestigious A' Design Award & Competition released its final call for 2017 entries.

International Industrial Designers, Interior Designers, Architects, Aircraft Designers, Aerospace Engineers and Aircraft Companies can register at A' Design Awards to submit a work and get a preliminary score. Projects that pass the preliminaries can proceed with nomination, however it shall be noted there is a nominal fee for nominating entries for Aircraft Awards jury consideration.

Deadline for entries to A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards is on February 28, 2017.

List of winners of the A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards will be announced on April 15, 2017.

Winners of the A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards 2017 will be granted the highly coveted A' Design Prize that includes a series of PR, marketing and publicity tools in addition to the Design Excellence Certificate, Lifetime license to use the A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards Winner Logo, Yearbook of Best Designs, Exhibitions of Awarded Works in Italy, Exclusive Design Award Trophy, A' Design Awards' Gala-Night invitation, as well as inclusion in World Design Rankings, Designer Rankings, Aircraft Design Classifications and Design Legends platforms.

The following are some example projects that could be submitted to A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards https://competition.adesignaward.com/competitions/aerospace.html

Nominations can be made at https://competition.adesignaward.com/registration.php

About A' Design Award & Competition

The A' Design Award & Competition has been established to promote and recognize the very best design works from across the globe while creating a global awareness and understanding for good design practices and principles. The ultimate goal of the A' Design Awards is to push designers, companies and brands worldwide to create superior products and projects that bring positive value to society To learn more about the A' Design Awards, please visit http://www.designaward.com

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/02/prweb14093157.htm

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International Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards Will Soon Be Closed to Entries - Benzinga

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Stark Aerospaces Board of Directors announced the appointment of Michael J. McGrevey as the new CEO.

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The Arrowlite is tossed by hand on takeoff and is retrieved by landing on any surface. The camera is recessed for takeoff and landing.(Photo: Stark Aerospace)

Stark Aerospaces Board of Directors announced the appointment of Michael J. Mike McGrevey as the new Chief Executive Officer.

McGrevey s hire follows the retirement of General (Ret.) Robert H. Doc Foglesong. Foglesong will continue his ongoing appointment as Chairman of the Board.

Mike is a great fit for Stark Aerospace as we reach forward into new business domains and continue to offer quality products in the national security domain, says Foglesong said.

McGrevey is a retired officer of the United States Air Force. McGrevey held positions within the State of Mississippi, serving as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief of Staff at Mississippi State University and Deputy Director of the Mississippi Development Authority. McGrevey also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of JBHM Education Group. He holds a doctorate from Mississippi State University.

McGrevey will lead the companys overall strategic direction and drive growth and profitability.

Stark Aerospace has a strong commitment to protecting our armed forces both domestically and abroad. With a passion for promoting our military and protecting those who serve our country, I look forward to working with the company to build upon a long-standing history of success in the defense sector and building our commercial interests, McGrevey said.

Stark Aerospace is a global aerospace contractor with its main facility located in Columbus, Mississippi at the Golden Triangle Global Industrial Aerospace Park.

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Stark Aerospace announces new CEO - The Clarion-Ledger - Jackson Clarion Ledger

Columbus-based contractor Stark Aerospace on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mike McGrevey as the companys new Chief Executive Officer.

McGrevey will replace outgoing CEO Robert Doc Foglesong, who recently announced plans to retire. The retired general will continue with the company as Chairman of the Board.

In his new role, McGrevey will lead the company's overall strategic direction, while working to drive growth and raise profitability.

Mike is a great fit for Stark Aerospace as we reach forward into new business domains and continue to offer quality products in the national security domain, Foglesong said.

After the announcement, McGrevey cited the companys strong commitment to protecting armed forces both domestically and abroad.

With a passion for promoting our military and protecting those who serve our country, I look forward to working with the company to build upon a long-standing history of success in the defense sector and building our commercial interests.

The company discussed McGreveys background in a press release, saying the retired U.S. Air Force officer has held many lofty positions with the state of Mississippi.

After his military service, McGrevey worked as vice president of Finance and Administration and Chief of Staff at Mississippi State University. Before that, he served as deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

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Stark Aerospace names new CEO - Starkville Daily News

TransDigm Group is buying Takata Corp.'s aerospace business for ... Crain's Cleveland Business Aircraft components maker TransDigm Group Inc. (NYSE: TDG) of Cleveland said it has acquired SCHROTH Safety Products GmbH, as well as aviation and ... TransDigm Announces the Acquisition of Takata Corporation's ...Yahoo Finance all 2 news articles »

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TransDigm Group is buying Takata Corp.'s aerospace business for ... - Crain's Cleveland Business

2016 has been another very good year for the aerospace industry. At the Farnborough Airshow alone we sawUS$123.9 billion of deals recorded. The global A&D market continues to enjoy huge revenue momentum, with historically high backlogs for Tier 1 suppliers, and the industry has to try to keep up with this demand.

Airbus and Boeing are now at the point where they are no longer competing in the same way. There are now too many orders for both combined, and the new battleground moving into 2017, will be fought in their factories, as they race to see who can increase production rates to match their commitments. To tackle this, Boeing and Airbus have targeted 25-30% increases in production. Keeping pace with this will be a significant challenge for both companies and their supply chains, and we are seeing a huge drive for innovations that can support progress here.

But this is far from the only obstacle that the industry faces in 2017 and beyond. In this article, I will also explore developments that are happening in the aftermarket, how technology is transforming this and the manufacturing side of aerospace, as well as potential new entrants from the far East that could transform the market in decades to come.

When it comes to the aerospace manufacturing supply chain, production ramp-up is the number one priority, and it will continue to be for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers throughout the year.Capacity is already stretched and suppliers are struggling to keep pace with the surge, resulting inbillions of dollars worthof inventory sitting in the parking bays. This has already played out in dramatic fashion in the interiors market, withserious output delays being reported by a major OEM. But this is indicative of the pressures felt across the wider supply chain.

Much of this demand is being driven out of Asia, especially China and India and this is set to continue for at least the next 18-24 months, when production rates are likely to stabilize. With this in mind, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are focusing on harnessing efficiencies through Operational Readiness, Supplier Management/Quality and Zero Defect production. However, this sprint for increased production, needs to be complemented with a longer-term view, in the knowledge that the abundance of orders is not an indefinite state of affairs. The supply chain is also under pressure to make these efficiencies while finding ways to reduce costs. By focusing on optimizing production processes the supply chain can achieve both in a sustainable manner, particularly when drawing on the benefits of automation as they become more established.

Zero defect manufacturing is certainly one popular answer here. With lucrative contracts at stake, suppliers cannot afford to let the slightest defect impact their reputation and bottom line; with the cost of missed deadlines incredibly high. Of course, at low volumes, defects can be managed through, but when demand for aircraft is so high, this becomes unsustainable. On top of this, there are also stringent safety requirements and exacting standards that have to be met for each flight. Pressure is therefore on OEMs to deliver vast amounts of product in very short time spans, to perfection; and efficiencies along the supply chain must be gained if this is to be achieved.

Though there is an initial upfront investment to correct defunct processes and get them to the optimal stage of production, the long term benefits are significant. For instance, due to the fact that fewer design iterations are needed, significant time savings can be gained, meaning the product lifecycle is reduced and components get to market far quicker than before.

Alongside this, as OEMs look to capture a greater percentage of the profits in the production line, we will also see more risk sharing partnerships, giving the supply chain further incentive to deliver under these difficult conditions.

The words on the supply chains lips are production rate, production rate, production rate. But increasing the volume without compromising the quality is the biggest challenge and OEMs are turning to the latest technologies in their pursuit of this zero-defect nirvana.

One of the most impactful, technological advances is additive manufacturing. The demand for additive manufacturing is growing: the global market is expected to increase from$3.07bn in revenue in 2013 to $12.8bn by 2018, exceeding $21bn by 2020. This is no more so apparent than in Aerospace and Defense (A&D) production and MRO applications.

The precision that it allows, particularly with intricate components, means that OEMs can manufacture, lighter and more accurate products faster than ever before. With greater efficiency and reduction in fuel usage high on the agenda, every gram of weight saved counts. The latter has a greater role to play in MRO as the constant high pressure placed on parts results in some components needing to be regularly replaced. The faster this can be done, the less time aircraft fleets spend grounded an issue that is costing the industry vast sums of money.Airbus China, for example, recently estimated the cost of a grounded A380 Airbus to be $1,250,000 every day.

Equally, the manufacturing process here is far more streamlined, reducing human error, and allowing rapid prototyping to stress test new innovations or design concepts, before going into mass production.

Despite the advantages of additive manufacturing in A&D, there are some challenges that need to be addressed before the technology can be adopted more widely across the industry. The nature of the inherent risks associated with aviation makes it a highly regulated sector and this impacts the speed at which 3D manufacturing processes are being adopted. The technology has drawnheavy scrutiny from regulatorsand manufacturers face a challenge in proving the safety of products produced by this new process and gaining accreditation. Some of the areas regulators are keen to focus their attention on over the next few years are how printed products will behave over time and based on the materials used, also it will be interesting to see how the industry adopts means to accelerate its adoption.

Nevertheless, despite the regulatory hurdles to overcome, significant cost and efficiency benefits are being seen across the design and manufacturing lifecycle. Additive manufacturing is set to continue to have a transformational impact on the A&D industry and it will be fascinating to see where the next innovations come from. The industry is still evolving their strategy when it comes to incorporating additive manufacturing into their operations. But all the signs are there for this technological innovation to create the biggest impact on this industry over the next 5-10 years.

I dont think you can overstate the potential positive disruption here, as additive manufacturing could fundamentally change how every OEM operates. The supply chain is set to move into a transformative period in 2017.

The most dynamic area of the aerospace industry, moving into 2017, will be in aftermarket services. With the efficiencies being imposed on manufacturing, Tier 1 suppliers are looking to garner more of their profits from the aftermarket business. They will continue to take more control of this area, either by signing long term maintenance contracts or by signing Pay-By-The-Hour agreements with airlines. But this move does not come without resistance from the rest of the market, as they will be jostling for space with traditional MROs that already operate in this space.

The aftermarket is certainly going to be the area to watch for two reasons: first the growing presence of OEMs in the aftermarket and second the disruption caused by new technologies that drive improved aircraft availability. On newer platforms, OEMs are increasing their footprint in the aftermarket and are incentivizing buyers to enter into all-inclusive aftercare packages, rather than engage with different MROs on a case-by-case basis. While OEMs see a positive long term revenue outlook here and are breaking even on new platforms faster, the buyer must accept that, given the level of IP protected technologies on-board, the OEM is better placed to manage this than any third-party MRO.

While for the older programs, OEMs are disrupting the direct component/part supplier chain by trying to become super suppliers. If we try to understand the effect based on the type of the operator: smaller and newer ones will be more willing to be a part of OEM aftercare packages, so they focus on their operational efficiencies and save their base maintenance CAPEX. Larger ones, who tend to have their own MROs for component and base maintenance and drive their operational costs down through direct component/part supplier sourcing, will now look towards OEMs for part supplies. With the newer platforms still settling in, it will be interesting to see how traditional third party independent MROs face this disruption.

The aftermarket is also where we are going to see digital transformation have the most impact. In 2017 we will continue to see sizeable investments going into big data and analytics. This will focus on developments in health monitoring, predictive maintenance and driving efficiencies throughout the MRO ecosystem, as Tier 1 suppliers look to improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and increase business visibility across their network.

Digital solutions are at the center of this, with modern aircraft producing upwards ofhalf a terabyte of data per flight. Sifting through this information to uncover useful, actionable intelligence is crucial. This is because data-driven decision making, when applied to traditional maintenance procedures, drives efficiencies, improving and even preventing costly operations as a result.

A practical example of this is seen in predicting maintenance requirements. Using data transmitted from sensors throughout the aircraft systems and subsystems, in line with pre-programmed safety parameters, maintenance crews can foresee the requirements of an asset before an incident occurs. As this technology develops, well soon have the ability to stream this information in real-time, while the plane is in flight, so teams on the ground will have sight on immediate maintenance requirements, and can be ready with the appropriate solution before the plane has even landed for inspection.

New players are breaking into the market and the search for real-time health monitoring of the entire aircraft and predicting unforeseen maintenance requirements could dramatically reduce costly aircraft on ground incidents and maintenance costs.

Though not an immediate concern, the industry is keeping a careful watch on new entrants to the market and the customer receptiveness to newer platforms like the Bombardier C-Series. However, the question on everyones minds moving beyond 2017 to the next 10-20 years, is What plans does China have for the aerospace market? While the introduction of Asian platforms like MRJ, ARJ, Comac (C919, C929), and CJ series of high bypass turbofans bring some fresh air, sooner or later we could soon see China raising its head above the parapet with genuine contenders to challenge traditional Tier 1 supplier platforms.

If executed correctly, new entrants from China have the potential to transform the way that planes are sold and disrupt the entire lifestyle of the aircraft from manufacture through to delivery and maintenance. With aggressive pricing, and by leveraging their large cash surplus to upend current leasing models, Asian aerospace companies could pose a threat in new markets like Africa, using this base to launch into the more established European and American markets.

As technology continues to transform the way the aerospace industry manufactures, sells and maintains its aircraft, companies throughout the supply chain must evolve, and fast! One thing is for sure, following on from a year characterized by global political and economic uncertainty, 2017 is set to be an exciting and turbulent year, and it will be fascinating to see how the race for aircraft production unfolds.

Anand Parameswaran, Sr. Vice President Aerospace & Defense, Cyient

Anand heads the Aerospace and Defense business unit. In this role, he is responsible for driving superior outcomes for clients by leveraging Cyient's extensive capability across product design, manufacturing, and aftermarket solutions. In his previous role he was the Global Head of Human Resources and Business Excellence.Anand has earlier led Global Sales and Delivery for the Heavy Equipment, Transportation, HiTech, Consumer, and Medical (HTH) business unit. He was responsible for driving engagement, profitability and revenue growth across these industry verticals.Before Cyient, Anand worked in various information technology (IT) industry leadership roles in North America, Europe, and Asia, including positions at Wipro and Cognizant, two leading global IT consulting firms.Anand received a degree from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India.

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Aerospace and Defense 2017 Predictions - AviationPros.com