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(Pioneering the air transport of the future)
Europe's ambitions in future aeronautics were described in the 'Vision
2020' report and the EU's Transport White Paper which form the basis
of ACARE's Strategic Research Agenda. This research theme stretches
the Vision 2020 horizon to explore and pioneer the more radical,
revolutionary, environmentally efficient and innovative technologies
that might configure the step changes required in the air transport of
the second half of this century.
Research will address aspects such as new propulsion and lifting
concepts, new forms of guidance and control, new ideas for the interior
space of airborne vehicles, new airport concepts - including the concept
of off -shore air stations, alternative concepts of air transport system
operation - including personal transport systems and the use of urban space,
and its integration with other transport modes.
This area will pioneer the air transport of the future addressing the longer term challenges of aviation with accessible and
innovative combinations of technologies which will lead to significant steps forward in air transport.
South African organisations have interest and capabilities in the following:
- Composite materials
- Light metals and metals processing
- Nano technologies
- Rapid prototyping and direct manufacturing
- Smart composites
- Smart materials
| South African R&D entities |
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