Structures technology for future aerospace systems

An overview of structures technology for future aerospace systems is given. Discussion focuses on developments in component technologies that will imp rove the vehicle performance, advance the technology exploitation process, and reduce system life-cycle costs. The component technologies described ar e smart materials and structures, multifunctional materials and structures, affordable composite structures, extreme environment structures, flexible load bearing structures, and computational methods and simulation-based des ign. The trends in each of the component technologies are discussed and the applicability of these technologies to future aerospace vehicles is descri bed. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.