News
Both Boeing and Airbus have new narrow-body aircraft on the drawing board for the 2030 time frame, at which time new technologies are expected to provide another 10-15% in better fuel economy over today’s neo and MAX models. But technology comes at a price, and the current MAX and neo models are having difficulty sustaining high lease rates in a low fuel cost environment against their predecessor NG and ceo models, which on an operating plus capital cost basis remain quite competitive.
To be incorporated into a new aircraft, technologies must be both efficient and cost effective. In a series of insights, we will examine some of the technologies we will likely see in the next generation of narrow-body aircraft. Our second topic is software and autonomous aircraft.
Analysis
Software and artificial intelligence are proving to be increasingly capable when executed properly, and designed to integrate multiple functions throughout an airplane. The advanced control systems from military aircraft, which remain classified, have astounding capabilities to control aircraft in combat situations. But for commercial aircraft, a long-term goal for the industry is to reduce pilot workload and perhaps within one or two additional generations, have systems advanced enough to eliminate the need for one of the two pilots on board. While we don’t foresee systems of this nature emerging by 2030, advances in software technology are moving from the routine to the non-routine.
