More electric aircraft

System design trends for the next generation of aircraft point toward more distributed, but fully integrated, systems.

Engineers have been searching for some time new ways to decrease the wiring weight of electronic systems, as well as reduce the number of hardware modules. In a wider architecture context, more electric systems are set to replace heavy hydraulic/pneumatic lines and actuators.

Distributed power generation, environmental controls, and electrohydraulic actuator systems; brake-by-wire systems; or FADECs are just some examples of aerospace control systems that have a direct or indirect effect on system efficiency, functionality, or operating costs.