Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
must constantly be aware of those advances. There need to be mechanisms to
link technical developments to military system applications throughout the
entire supply chain.
Recommendation 3-5.
The AFRL should continue its strong efforts in struc-
tural materials to capitalize on research and development advances. The Air
Force should invest in establishing capability on the part of contractors to
supply selected military-specific products at the same time as it invests at
AFRL to encourage collaboration with cutting-edge researchers and the
comprehensive tracking, where possible, of research and development and
steering it toward Air Force needs.
Finding 3-6.
Nanoscience as applied to the structural materials used for
MEMS components is key to the successful deployment of MEMS technology.
Unresolved issues such as stiction prevention, sidewall morphology, and
durability and stability of micromechanical structures are obstacles to the
deployment of reliable MEMS sensors and actuators in military systems.
Recommendation 3-6.
The Air Force should focus development resources
on materials issues that currently limit MEMS deployment for the military.
These include structural stability, surface durability, manufacturable fabri-
cation processes, and packaging.
AERODYNAMICS, PROPULSION, AND POWER
Warfare has always required the transport of troops and materials to and
across the battlefield. Modern warfare adds the transport of information and
energy and extends the range of the battlefield across the globe and out to geosyn-
chronous orbit. Although transatmospheric transport using ballistic missiles and
rockets can provide the fastest transfer of personnel and materials across conti-
nental distances, air-breathing aerodynamic vehicles will continue to provide the
lion's share of rapid transport for the foreseeable future.
Multiple challenges exist for maintaining air and space superiority over the
next 50 years. The major challenges will be these:
•
to maintain air vehicle survivability—for instance, by means of better IR
sensors and flight control—against ground and air-launched threats that
incorporate ever-increasing technological sophistication
•
to maintain cost-effective, long-range rapid transport capability with in-
creasing fuel prices
•
to reverse the trend of significantly increased cost per vehicle for each
new generation
•
to provide less-expensive, faster-response launch systems
Search WWH ::
Custom Search