Space Blanket

A low-weight, low-bulk blanket made of heat-reflective thin plastic sheeting.

Then:

Developed by NASA and the A&D industry in 1964 for use on the exterior surfaces of spacecraft.

Now:

Commonly found in first aid kits and camping equipment, space blankets reflect 97% of the body heat that would otherwise escape through thermal radiation, water evaporation, or convection.

From assessing damage to helping firefighters and rescue workers save lives, robots are playing an increasingly critical role in disaster management. Descendants of A&D innovation, these unmanned vehicles can be deployed to fly, tunnel, swim and crawl into places people can’t—or shouldn’t—go, providing invaluable aid to victims and protection for rescue teams.

Additionally, the rapid speed at which they can be deployed significantly accelerates the long-term recovery process, helping communities get back on their feet up to three years faster.

disc Brakes

A brake that uses calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or “rotor” to create friction.

Then:

Perfected for use in high-performance military aircraft like fighters and bombers during World War II.

Now:

Their ability to provide greater friction area in a small volume propelled disc brakes into the mainstream automobile market in the 1950s.

Pioneered by the aerospace & defense industry, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) overlay multiple layers of (seemingly unrelated) data into a single map, making it possible to visualize spatial patterns and relationships.

These insights are critical to identifying areas and communities vulnerable to hazards and natural disasters, which is the first step in improving disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

In 2017, commercial airplanes equipped with TAMDAR (Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Report) specialty weather sensors transmitted data from thousands of flights to a global forecasting platform. That platform generated the most accurate predictions for Hurricane Irma’s path—four to seven days in advance.

For forecasters, this kind of success is just the beginning. As AI techniques let us compare past predictions with actual outcomes, our weather prediction models will be able to forecast further into the future and with greater accuracy. That’s extra time and better information that helps communities prepare, gets families to shelters and saves lives.

Smart manufacturing, advanced materials and AI-based designs are driving the future of flight. They will enable everything from panoramic views of the sky to onboard gesture recognition to smaller, lighter aircraft that change how we think about air travel.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality interiors will enhance in-flight experience, while also lowering costs and weight with state-of-the-art design.

Additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing technologies that employ new materials will deliver complex lightweight components that support intricate design.

AI-powered systems

AI-powered systems will assess millions of design solutions to find one that optimizes cost, weight and strength.