Affordability – Manufacturing’s Role in Aviation’s Growth

The aircraft that will dominate aerospace manufacturing for the next decade and beyond are already entering service, in development or leaving the drawing board. The Boeing 787, Airbus A350 and Lockheed Martin F-35 have brought a significant shift to composites, but in the absence of new clean-sheet designs the opportunity for further major changes in materials and structures is now limited. However, there is growing potential for advances in manufacturing technology to help manufacturers push up production rates and drive down costs. Strong orderbooks on the commercial side and budget pressures on the military side will encourage investment in technologies that make aircraft more affordable and manufacturing more profitable.