The Alcoa vision for advanced aerospace structures is based on combining novel design concepts, advanced alloys and innovative manufacturing techniques to achieve significant weight and cost savings over current built-up airframe construction. A variety of different structural concepts are being considered, which include at least some of the following concepts, unitized (a.k.a integral) structure; friction stir and laser welding; selective reinforcement; advanced aluminum alloys; novel product forms such as wide integrally stiffened extrusions and pre-machined plate; advanced forming process. This presentation will provide an overview of the Alcoa approach to evaluate and identify promising concepts, and a summary of the key issues that need to be addressed through cooperation between airframe OEMs, certifying agencies, material suppliers, research establishments, and subcontractors. More details on some of the key issues and the resulting programs to develop and validate the most promising concepts are covered in a number of presentations in the Affordable Structures/Low Cost Manufacturing sessions of Aeromat 2004.