Artificial intelligence, autonomous flight, and quantum computing tech could make the resource-intensive aerospace industry greener and more efficient.
Cutting-edge tech is modernizing the aerospace industry, making it more efficient and sustainable.
Artificial intelligence applications in the space, especially for route optimization, have gained momentum in recent years, helping long-haul commercial airlines reduce fuel consumption. Meanwhile, quantum computing is expected to solve the computing constraints of existing AI applications and lead to new breakthroughs in flight design.
Both technologies are stimulating partnerships, investments, and vendor relationships in the aerospace industry. Below, we highlight areas within aerospace that are benefiting from the implementation of AI and quantum computing.
For more on AI applications in this sector, see our AI in aerospace and defense brief. For more on quantum tech, check out our quantum computing explainer and quantum tech market map.
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Key takeaways
- AI-driven dynamic flight path modeling can help reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Dynamic flight path modeling is expected to become the norm for airline operators, leading to a reduction of millions of tons of CO2 emissions. France-based companies Safety Line and OpenAirlines are securing customer, vendor, and R&D partnerships for their flight path optimization software.
- Aerospace partnerships focused on autonomous flight could make flights more efficient. Initiatives like Airbus’ Fello’fly Project are exploring new ways to reduce drag and increase efficiency, particularly for autonomous aircraft.
- Quantum computing allows engineers to accurately simulate airflow and other flight physics factors for better aircraft design. Airbus is actively investing in and partnering with quantum computing startups to uncover novel approaches to flight physics.
Why aerospace?
With travel restrictions and increased remote work pressuring bottom lines, many airlines and aerospace manufacturers are seeking out savings opportunities across the supply chain. At the same time, growing concerns over climate change has spurred the search for ways to alleviate the industry’s pollution problem.
It will be a long time before many highly-anticipated sustainability breakthroughs in aerospace — such as electric propulsion systems and advanced batteries for commercial aircraft — will be feasible, especially compared to the immediate need for emissions reduction.
Dynamic flight path modeling offers a nearer-term solution. Dynamic modeling uses AI to analyze real-time weather and historical route data to recommend the optimal path for a commercial aircraft, cutting down on flight time and fuel emissions. Ongoing R&D in quantum computing has also contributed to improvements in aircraft design.
AI is simplifying flight route optimization
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