The aerospace and defense industry is changing fundamentally due to accelerating technological advances. Products of a civilian and military nature are becoming more sophisticated, as are their manufacturing techniques. Manufacturers focus on innovative solutions to increase functional efficiency and reduce the operating costs of specific technologies. Conversely, at the planning stage, they pay more attention to ensuring the stability of the supply chain of materials used in manufacturing.
Surging transportation needs and the effort to decarbonize the economy are changing the global market. Materials and techniques that reduce greenhouse gas emissions are being applied at the manufacturing stage. Sustainable aviation fuels and electric, hydrogen, and hybrid propulsion systems are also increasingly used. In parallel, new technologies in aerodynamics and aeroacoustics adapt aerial vehicles, such as drones, to the specifics of the advanced air mobility (AAM) area.
With the accelerating trend of automation, the deployment of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing. In turn, integration within the Internet of Things (IoT) requires the development of satellites. They are increasingly being used not just for military purposes but also for commercial activities. Conversely, the defense industry is developing more and more precise types of weapons, employing the advances of AI. Some of these technologies are then adapted for civilian use as well.