Air Mobility Innovations Take Center Stage at Aerospace Systems and Technology Conference

November 6, 2018

Courtney E. Howard

Hundreds of aerospace executives, engineers, scientists, and academics are gathering in London this week for Aerospace Systems and Technology Conference (ASTC) 2018 from SAE International in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. Discussions during the three-day industry event center on the theme of innovating air mobility.

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Aerospace thought leaders are at ASTC discussing current challenges, the latest enabling technologies, and future opportunities, including those related to urban air mobility (UAM) and supersonic aircraft.

ASTC 2018 sessions focus on the hottest opportunities and arguably some of the biggest technology challenges in: avionics, aerospace systems and operations, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), aviation cybersecurity, connected aircraft, digital design and manufacturing, and electric aircraft. Training courses at the event are focused on SAE International’s ARP4754A, Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems; RTCA DO-178C, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification; and RTCA DO-254, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware.

Aerospace professionals at ASTC are involved in conversations around common challenges, including: power, propulsion, and thermal management in more-electric, hybrid-electric, and all-electric aircraft; noise mitigation, particularly for supersonic and rotary-wing aircraft; physical and cyber security of aerospace systems; and the advancement of energy storage solutions. Many are also engaged in and excited about advances in fuel cell, 5G and quantum communications, additive manufacturing, materials science, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), and automated, autonomous, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Save the dates for SAE International's Aerotech Americas and Aerotech Europe in 2019.

Working on aerospace systems and platforms? Wrestling with challenges? Have aerospace wisdom to share for the greater good of the industry? You're invited to get involved with SAE International -- contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to contribute and add your voice to the growing body of knowledge.

Courtney E. Howard is editorial director and content strategist at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group. Contact her by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..