Flight International is celebrating its 100th anniversary in print on 6 January with a special centenary issue. The editors in London have asked me to propose 5 key trends for the next 100 years of military aerospace. Here's what I've come up with.
Which trend do you think will be the most important? Or do you think I've missed what will be the most important technological breakthrough for aerospace in the next century? If so, please email me or submit a comment.
Which trend do you think will be the most important? Or do you think I've missed what will be the most important technological breakthrough for aerospace in the next century? If so, please email me or submit a comment.
on December 13, 2008 12:23 AM | Reply
To everyone who voted for autonomous operations:
Sorry, you're missing something here. The machines will only be allowed to go so far. If I may be a touch trivial for a moment, everyone in the current and upcoming military leadership has seen the Terminator films. There is no way that machines will be given the authority to kill humans on their own.
Directed energy is the way forward.
on December 13, 2008 4:46 AM | Reply
I voted 'other': Hyper-situational awareness.
Pilots and controllers are going to be much more aware of what is going on around their aircraft.
Associated with this is the fact that system computers are going to be able to provide firm operations options nearly instantaneously.
In summary: Excellent man-machine interface with a god's eye view.
on December 17, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply
I hope the Flight International will cover future technology heavily with the 100 years issue. With no disrespect to avation historians I would like to know what the future holds.