Latest Stories

Articles
Electronics & Computers

How Lightweight Coatings Protect Aerospace and Defense Electronics

While stresses such as altitude changes, vacuum, vibration, moisture and chemical exposure have the potential to wreak havoc on electronic components, conformal coatings have become essential to providing protection in the midst of these challenges. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manned Systems

Using Ultrabright X-Rays to Test Materials for Ultrafast Aircraft

This might seem like an obvious statement, but designing an aircraft that flies at five to seven times the speed of sound is difficult. Paradoxically, materials for...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Design

Controlling Heat Spikes in Electric Aircraft at Takeoff

Researchers at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University and Brazil’s Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) will combine forces on one of the main challenges of electric aircraft...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Robotics, Automation & Control

A New Quantum Materials Research System

Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have a powerful new tool to accelerate discovery in quantum materials for advanced electronics. The laboratory recently completed installation of...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

Developing Processing Technology for Aluminum and Composite Aircraft Structures

LOT Aircraft Maintenance Services is implementing a product innovation focused on eliminating the currently used chemical and mechanical technologies for...

Feature Image

Podcasts
Aerospace

Extreme Environments, Precise Solutions: Technologies Enabling Space Vehicles Advancement

John Mark, Space & Defense Business Manager, Omniseal Solutions, is the guest on this sponsored interview episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to explain the role that advanced materials and sealing technologies provide in space vehicles.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

New Copper Alloy Could Provide Breakthrough in Durability for Military Systems

U.S. Army researchers, in collaboration with academic partners, invented a stronger copper that could help redefine the use of high-temperature materials in...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Can Microvanes Improve Fuel Efficiency for Legacy Air Force Aircraft?

Air Force Operational Energy and Air Mobility Command are entering the final phase of evaluation for Microvane drag reduction technology on the C-17 Globemaster III....

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

Clean Sky Demonstrator Fuselage Shows Potential of Thermoplastics in Aircraft Production

Suspended between discrete skeletal jigs, it wouldn't attract a second glance on an aircraft assembly line. Yet inside an anonymous hangar in northern...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

How the Navy is Using Additive Manufacturing to Protect Submarine Hatch Bolts

Commander, Submarine Forces is researching the usage of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to address operational needs, in collaboration with midshipmen from...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

How Off-Gassing Keeps Divers, Submariners Safe From Toxin-Releasing Materials

Everyone knows that new car smell — the chemical odor wafting off the new plastics, fabrics and other materials in a vehicle's interior. Those smells are caused...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Characterizing the Performance of Variable Emissivity Materials in Space

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) launched the Space Power InfraRed Regulation and Analysis of Lifetime, or SPIRRAL, experiment, Nov. 4, 2024. SPIRRAL, flown by...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Top Aerospace OEMs Taking Action to Prevent Unapproved Parts From Entering Supply Chain

The Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition released its report recommending specific actions the aerospace industry should take to help prevent...

Feature Image

Articles
Aerospace

Making the Rounds in Aerospace: Tooling and Techniques for Discs, Blisks and Rings

Aerospace engine components like discs, blisks and rings are engineered to perform in extreme operating environments. They need to withstand intense heat and stress and be as lightweight as possible to meet exacting specifications. Read on to learn more about these components.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Is the Department of Defense Stockpiling Enough Critical Materials?

The Department of Defense (DoD) maintains the National Defense Stockpile to store materials that are strategic and critical to defense and essential civilian needs in times...

Feature Image

Articles
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Beyond Boundaries: Elevating Aerospace Design with Fluorosilicones

The introduction of fluorosilicones helped solve the immediate issues faced by the aerospace sector, but also set a new standard for material performance in challenging operational environments. Consequently, these types of silicones have become a critical component in the design and manufacturing of aircraft. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Briefs
Materials

Testing Military-Grade Adhesive in Extreme Loading Conditions

Military performance requirements for adhesives have been traditionally derived to fulfill niche defense needs in harsh operational environments with little consideration for dual-use commercial potential. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

Air Force to Flight Test Drag-Reducing Finlets, Microvanes and Riblets on Legacy Aircraft

The Department of Defense (DoD) relies on airborne logistics to support global military operations, and airlift and air-to-air refueling are both...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

US Companies Advance DoD Investment in Rare Earth Materials Supply Chain

Since 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) has invested $400 million into U.S.-based companies to expand the domestic supply chain for rare earth materials needed to...

Feature Image

Application Briefs
Aerospace

Cold Spray Technology

Naval Air Systems CommandNaval Air Station North Island, CA(619) 545-3415www.navair.navy.mil In the realm of naval aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul, a transformative technology is taking flight. At the heart...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Aerospace

Boeing 737 MAX 9 Fleet Grounded Following In-Flight Loss of Cabin Door Plug

The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded 171 in-service Boeing 737 MAX 9s following an Alaska Airlines flight involving the aircraft type last week....

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

How to Select the Right Silicone for Space Applications

Selecting the right silicone manufacturer with a proven track record of extensive experience in the application and customization of space-grade silicones is as important as considering the materials’ function, purity and process requirements when choosing a silicone for space applications.

Feature Image

Briefs
Materials

Towards Sustainable Recycling of Epoxy-Based Polymers: Approaches and Challenges of Epoxy Biodegradation

Epoxy polymers are widely used in various industries. However, the disposal of epoxy polymers and composites thereof has become a significant concern due to their recalcitrant nature and the adverse environmental effects caused by traditional recycling methods.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

AUSA 2023: Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Leads Army’s Modernization Priorities

One of the top modernization efforts for the Army is the development of long-range hypersonic capabilities, according to comments made by Secretary of the Army...

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation: The Future of Lightweight Designs in Aerospace and Defense

Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation is a unique surface coating technology that specializes in light metals, aluminum, magnesium and titanium specifically. It enables the lightweighting of components that face extreme environments from a reliable and effective coating process.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Motion Control

Navy to Start Using Autonomous Cold Spray Metallization Technology for H-1 Helicopter Maintenance

Following years of rigorous testing and evaluation, a cold spray metallization technology that was initially demonstrated at Fleet Readiness...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Test & Measurement

New Consortium to Develop Thermal Protection Materials for Hypersonic Vehicles

Several countries are competing to develop the most advanced hypersonic vehicles, and a team of researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology...

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

Exploring High-Performance Applications for Distributed Transport Property Thermoelectrics

This new, patented distributed transport property technology describes functionally graded materials with spatially varied transport properties.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Microelectronics and Castings Remain Supply Chain Challenges for Raytheon

Raytheon Technologies Chief Executive Officer Greg Hayes and Chief Operating Officer Christopher Calio said microelectronics and engine castings were among the...

Feature Image