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Diagram, Parts, Working, Types, Uses [with PDF]
![Diagram, Parts, Working, Types, Uses [with PDF]](https://i1.wp.com/www.theengineerspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/V-Engine-Parts.jpg?w=696&resize=696,0&ssl=1 "Diagram, Parts, Working, Types, Uses [with PDF]")
In this article, you’ll learn what is a V Engine. Its working, parts, advantages, disadvantages, and uses all are explained with pictures.
Also, you can download the PDF file at the end of this article.
What is a V Engine?
A V engine is a popular arrangement for internal combustion engines. This V-engine engine has two sets of cylinders that are still attached over the crankshaft at an angle of between 60 and 90 degrees. This angle forms a ‘V’ shape.
Typically, the V engines have an even number of cylinders, such as 2, 4, 6, and 8. V-type engines differ from inline engines in that their construction and design are more intricate. An in-line engine, as the name implies, has all of its cylinders in a row.
But the V engine’s smaller size and lower performance balanced its more complicated construction. Because the V-shaped engine requires fewer spaces, a larger space can be added for extra cylinders. The extra cylinders improve the engine’s torque and horsepower in addition to increasing engine capacity.
Read Also: Different Types of Engines Explained (with Images & PDF)
Parts of V Engine
Some of the main parts of the V engine are as follows:
- Camshaft
- Injector rocker arm
- Injector control shaft
- Injector rack
- Fuel Injector
- Spark plug
- Connecting rod
- Starter motor
- Water inlet jumper and manifold
- Crankshaft
- Crankshaft counterweight
- Exhaust valve
- Cylinder head
- Piston
- Piston rings
- Push rod
- Crankcases
- Cylinder liner
- Piston cooling oil pipe
- Oil pan and oil level gauge
- Air cleaner
- Engine manifold
Characteristics
A V engine is shorter and wider than an equivalent inline engine (the most common configuration for engines under six cylinders). This impact grows with the number of cylinders in the engine.
The length difference between an H-twin and a straight-twin engine may not be very noticeable, but V8 engines are much shorter than straight engines. Compared to the less common flat engine, a V engine is taller, narrower, and has a larger center of mass.
These engines with fewer cylinders will have a different engine balance depending on firing intervals, crankshaft counterweights, and balance shafts. In this engine, the crankpins are frequently shared by two cylinders from opposing banks, with an offset between them.
Read Also: What is a Timing Belt In a Car? Its Symptoms & Replacement
How Does a V Engine Work?
Both the gasoline-powered four-stroke engine and the V engine operate pretty similarly. The cylinders of a V engine take in air and fuel into their chambers. The gas that was drawn in is then compressed and ignited.
There is an immense amount of pressure created as a result of the combustion in the closed and compressed chambers. In the form of force, all this accumulated power gets transferred into the pistons, causing them to move downwards.
These pistons rise upward and discharge the gas that has been accumulated. There is a cyclical order in which all of the above take place, resulting in the crankshaft of the engine rotating in a circular motion.
The cycle is repeated in various cylinders at various times to ensure a smooth supply or delivery of power.
Types of V Engines
V-type engines are classified into different classifications based on the cylinder used. Typical V-type engines include the following:
V2 Engine
V2 engines are also referred to as V-twin cylinder engines. This type of engine has two cylinder chambers. Because there are only two cylinders, it takes up a smaller space to fit.
In 1889, Daimler Stahlradwagen introduced the V engine working principle into their autos. Because it takes up less space, this engine is typically found in bikes.
V4 Engine
Due to its complex design, this type of internal combustion engine is rarely found in cars. Compared to other engine types, it is less common.
A V4 engine has two pairs of cylinders attached to the crankshaft. It employs four cylindrical chambers arranged at 90 degrees, which improves performance.
Its overall design is extremely complex, which raises manufacturing costs. However, compared to an inline-4 (I4) engine, it operates more smoothly in terms of power and stiffness.
V6 Engine
This is the most popular engine arrangement with six-cylinder chambers. These two sets of three cylinders remain attached to the crankshaft at an angle (60, 90, or 120 degrees).
This V6 engine is smaller, lighter, and an internal combustion engine that runs more compactly than the V8 and V12. They also provide better fuel efficiency. Additionally, it significantly lessens the car’s vibration.
As V6 engines utilize less space and improve aerodynamics, they are found in the majority of popular sedans in the United Arab Emirates. F1 cars will only be allowed to use turbocharged V6 engines in Grand Prix 2022.
V8 Engine
In 1903, engineers developed V8 engines based on the early success of V2 engines. A V8 engine consists of 8 cylindrical chambers and two sets of 4-cylinder chambers joined at a 90-degree angle via a crankshaft.
This engine is a short, light engine with a high combustion power, which allows the automobile to accelerate quickly without much difficulty. This is because two cylinders continuously push the power stroke.
This type of engine is used in premium and exotic vehicles to minimize the engine compartment’s size and improve driving efficiency.
V10 Engine
A V10 engine is a ten-cylinder piston engine with two banks of five cylinders arranged in a V arrangement around a single crankshaft. Compared to V8 and V12 engines, V10 engines are far less frequent.
This engine type is found in many sports cars and high-performance vehicles because it is more practical than inline 10-cylinder engines. The initial V10 diesel engines were produced in 1965, and the first V10 petrol engine was released with the Dodge Viper in 1991.
V12 Engine
The V12 engine is among the most powerful in the automotive industry. The V12 engine’s cylinders are often joined at a 60-degree angle, resulting in a more balanced structure.
These engines are used in ships, airplanes, military vehicles, and other vehicles since they are thought to be the engines that can produce the most horsepower.
V8 and V12 engines differ mainly in their design, shape, and performance. V12 offers greater power because it can handle higher volumes. The Rolls-Royce Phantom-III was the first commercial vehicle to employ the V12 engine.
V16 Engine
A V16 engine is a piston engine with two banks of eight cylinders arranged in a V arrangement around a single crankshaft. Compared to V8 and V12 engines, V16 engines are less common.
Most V16 engines have a 45-degree bank angle. A V16 engine was initially used in the 1910 Antoinette VII experimental aircraft. Today, V16 engines are mostly used in railroad locomotives, marine craft, and stationary power generators.
V18 Engine
In a V18 engine, two banks of nine cylinders are arranged in a V arrangement around a single crankshaft. The V18 engine is a unique arrangement that is mostly found in huge diesel engines operating at low speeds.
V20 Engine
A V20 engine is a piston engine with two banks of ten cylinders arranged in a V arrangement around a single crankshaft. There have been many applications for large diesel V20 engines, including locomotives, haul trucks, electric generators, and marine engines.
V22 Engine
The V22 engine has a V-shaped layout with 22 cylinders organized into two banks. This configuration allows for a compact design while still producing a high power output.
V24 Engine
A V24 engine is an engine with two banks of twelve cylinders arranged in a V arrangement around a single crankshaft. In the early 1930s, this V24 aero engine powered the Macchi M.C.72 aircraft, which was intended to compete in the Schneider Trophy air races of 1931.
Read Also: Manual Transmission vs Automatic Transmission: Pros & Cons
Advantages
The following are a few common benefits of V-shape engines:
- There are wider applications for the V-type internal combustion engine layout, including trucks, motorbikes, military vehicles, and airplanes.
- Because of its lower or more compact sizes, the V-shaped engine has superior aerodynamics.
- Due to its smaller crankshafts, the V-shaped engine transmits more power from the engine to the flywheel.
- This type of engine layout produces higher torque since these cars perform better on tough terrain.
- V engines come in a range of sizes, with two to twenty-four cylinders.
- There is less vibration and noise.
Disadvantages
Some common downsides of V engines include:
- It is challenging for automakers to develop these engines because of their intricate design and assembly.
- Cooling problems are another major drawback of the V engine layout.
- The engine gains weight because it has additional parts.
- When compared to other engines, V engines are more costly. As a result, the vehicle with the V engine is considered luxurious.
- In comparison to other engines on the market, these are less fuel efficient.
Difference Between Inline vs V Engine
The key differences are listed below:
- Compared to inline engines of the same size, V engines are less efficient.
- Compared to an inline engine, a V engine is typically more complex and difficult to maintain.
- V engines are compact, whereas inline engines are long and narrow mounted transversely in small cars.
- The inline layout can be more difficult to cool in an air-cooled engine than the V engine.
- An inline engine has a low center of gravity because it is wide and flat.
- When using overhead cams, the inline shape requires half the number of camshafts as a V configuration.
- Additionally, a V and an inline engine may differ in manufacturing costs.
- Compared to an inline engine, a V engine is more vibration-prone.
Conclusion
That’s it. Thanks for reading. I hope I have covered everything about the “V Engine” It would be helpful if you could let me know if there was anything I missed or if you have any doubts about anything I wrote.
Please share this article with your friends if you find it interesting.
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- Different Types of Clutches and Their Functions
- What is Manual Transmission? Parts, Working & Types
- Different Types of Turbochargers Explained
FAQs
What is the V engine?
In a V-type engine, the cylinders are placed in two rows at an angle to one another, with a shared crankshaft connecting them.
What makes V engines so popular?
A V-shaped arrangement fits more cylinders into a smaller space, which leads to higher power outputs without considerably increasing engine size. Compactness contributes to weight distribution, which is critical for performance handling.
What is a V and W engine?
W engines have three banks of cylinders, which resemble the broad arrow property mark of the British government. These engines are less popular than V engines. W engines are typically shorter and wider than V engines.
Is inline or V better?
Each type of engine has advantages. An inline engine offers superior fuel efficiency, while a V-shaped engine offers enhanced performance but may consume more fuel.
Industrial Fiber Optic Cable Selection Guide
HCS® Industrial Graded-Index and Step-Index Fiber Optic Cable Selection Guide
Indoor and outdoor optical fiber cables for use in Substation Automation, Factory Automation, Industrial Ethernet, HVDC Systems, and Power Electronics.
View Guide
Industrial Fiber Optic Cable Selection Guide Video Transcript:
Hi, my name’s Pete Suttmeier with OFS Specialty Photonics division in Avon, Connecticut. And here’s what’s new in my world. I’m here to talk to you about our newly released Cable Selection Guide for Industrial Cables that is available to you online.
When you’re trying to decide on which fiber optic cable to choose for an application. You have many choices of various constructions and fiber types of as has made this step easier for you. With the help of our new cable selection guide, which consists of cables for industrial applications, what the selection guide is designed to do is to make your job easier to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective cable for your project or installation. The selection guide is going to focus on the office industrial multimode fiber optic cables that are designed for, and common in, many factories and substations, as well as other harsh environment applications.
For those of you who work in industrial environments, whether it be a steel mill, paper mill, a substation, or any type of harsh environment, the HCS product line is ideal for you for many reasons. Unlike traditional fibers, the primary fiber coating makes bonds to the fiber and enhances the strength during the draw or production process. Additionally, because the coating remains on the glass during the termination process, the fiber maintains its inherent strength. This makes it unique in that there is never bare glass exposed to the environment such as humidity, dirt, and dust. Those environmental factors are all known to detract from the strength of the fiber optics. When you’re considering the product line, here’s what you’re getting a rugged and robust construction resistance to abrasion in industrial chemicals. Reliable and repeatable termination process. A short learning curve for terminations. So selection considerations include extreme temperatures of Florida, Arizona, to the frigid temperatures of the Canadian tundra or Alaska. Humidity also plays a factor in states like Texas and Louisiana. You will also consider installation pull strength, the compressive strength of the cable. What kind of weight can the cable bear during the installation?
The first page here we have 62.5 micron cables, which are indoor zipcord cables for data center type applications. Indoor outdoor cables which can be used for either these are breakout cables and all the outdoor cables will have a water block in the cable as well as some of them will have a glass armor for road and deterring because you’re going to deter the road they’re trying to chew through the cable.
And looking at our 200 micron step index cable from simplex to zip cords to breakouts through indoor applications, we have riser rated we have plenum rated, we have indoor outdoor cables. And we also have cables that are designed strictly for outdoor applications. Again, with the water block, as you see at the bottom here, we have a schematic which shows the termination process of a typical O of this connector.
First, we’re going to remove the cable jacket, then we’re going to strip the fiber. Then we’re going to crimp the connector on, and then we’re going to cleave the glass. And for a pristine finish on the end of the connector. What I’ll do in my next talk is share with you information on the connector systems that go along with the cables we just talked about. And that’s what’s new in my world.
Thank you.
More Resources
>> OFS Optical Cables
>> Fiber Optic FAQ Guide
Tags: fiber optic cables
electronic band theory – Conceptual question about trap levels in semiconductors and their occupancy
[Cross posted to material modeling stack exchange as recommended in the comments, although I couldn’t find the policies for that.]
Some fairly basic conceptual questions arose as I was doing some DFT and getting the DOS of an ionic semiconductor system with a defect.
When the system is globally neutral, the defect is in the $-2$ charge state. I call this the empty trap state. If I introduce a hole in the system (the overall atomic system now has a net charge of +1), I observe localization of the hole on the defect(*) which is now in the $-1$ charge state. I call this the filled trap state.
The confusion comes up when I produce a DOS for both filled and empty traps. In both cases, the geometry is the same and the only thing that changes is the presence of a localized hole on the defect (well, and some settings as to how the spin is handled which I will align later. It might explain some discrepancies between both but not answer the central question).
In the “empty trap” case (no hole, $-2$ charge state), we have a peak in the middle of the band gap. Integrating the DOS over this peak shows me that it corresponds to two electronic states.
In the “filled trap” case (trapped hole, $-1$ charge state), the peak is sightly shifted, which might be due to the Coulombic interaction induced by the trapped charge. All good. But what I don’t understand, is that if I integrate the DOS over the trap state, I get this time only one state!
It seems that the addition of a hole made a trap state “disappear” in the band structure! (Looks like it re-distributed in the band edges). Now that doesn’t match my understanding of band structures and their occupancy. Adding or subtracting charge carriers might shift some state levels, sure. It will definitely impact how those energy states are occupied. But I don’t understand how it “deletes” some states. For me, the only difference when injecting a hole should be that a previously occupied state is now free (and potentially shifted), but it should not cease to exist.
Can anybody clarify this for me?
Bonus question: I was also surprised to see that a trap state with a $-2$ charge had its level in the middle of the bandgap, suggesting that it might be a trap for both electrons and holes, when simple coulombic considerations (as well as others) clearly suggest that it should preferentially be preferentially a hole trap.
(*)thanks to the use of appropriate self-interaction correction schemes for DFT
EDIT: it is worth noting that, in the ground state, the two electronic trap states are occupied by electrons when the trap is empty (no hole). They are just below the Fermi energy. When the hole is introduced, one of those states is occupied and moved back to the valence band. The remaining midgap trap state is now unoccupied by electrons (above Fermi energy)
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Building a Visceral Understanding of Quantum Phenomena
A great childhood memory that I have comes from first playing “The Incredible Machine” on PC in the early 90’s. For those not in the know, this is a physics-based puzzle game about building Rube Goldberg style contraptions to achieve given tasks. What made this game a standout for me was the freedom that it granted players. In many levels you were given a disparate set of components (e.g. strings, pulleys, rubber bands, scissors, conveyor belts, Pokie the Cat…) and it was entirely up to you to “MacGuyver” your way to some kind of solution (incidentally, my favorite TV show from that time period). In other words, it was often a creative exercise in designing your own solution, rather than “connecting the dots” to find a single intended solution. Growing up with games like this undoubtedly had significant influence in directing me to my profession as a research scientist: a job which is often about finding novel or creative solutions to a task given a limited set of tools.
From the late 90’s onwards puzzle games like “The Incredible Machine” largely went out of fashion as developers focused more on 3D games that exploited that latest hardware advances. However, this genre saw a resurgence in 2010’s spearheaded by developer “Zachtronics” who released a plethora of popular, and exceptionally challenging, logic and programming based puzzle games (some of my favorites include Opus Magnum and TIS-100). Zachtronics games similarly encouraged players to solve problems through creative designs, but also had the side-effect of helping players to develop and practice tangible programming skills (e.g. design patterns, control flow, optimization). This is a really great way to learn, I thought to myself.
So, fast-forward several years, while teaching undergraduate/graduate quantum courses at Georgia Tech I began thinking about whether it would be possible to incorporate quantum mechanics (and specifically quantum circuits) into a Zachtronics-style puzzle game. My thinking was that such a game might provide an opportunity for students to experiment with quantum through a hands-on approach, one that encouraged creativity and self-directed exploration. I was also hoping that representing quantum processes through a visual language that emphasized geometry, rather than mathematical language, could help students develop intuition in this setting. These thoughts ultimately led to the development of The Qubit Factory. At its core, this is a quantum circuit simulator with a graphic interface (not too dissimilar to the Quirk quantum circuit simulator) but providing a structured sequence of challenges, many based on tasks of real-life importance to quantum computing, that players must construct circuits to solve.
Quantum Gamification and The Qubit Factory
My goal in designing The Qubit Factory was to provide an accurate simulation of quantum mechanics (although not necessarily a complete one), such that players could learn some authentic, working knowledge about quantum computers and how they differ from regular computers. However, I also wanted to make a game that was accessible to the layperson (i.e. without a prior knowledge of quantum mechanics or the underlying mathematical foundations like linear algebra). These goals, which are largely opposing one-another, are not easy to balance!
A key step in achieving this balance was to find a suitable visual depiction of quantum states and processes; here the Bloch sphere, which provides a simple geometric representation of qubit states, was ideal. However, it is also here that I made my first major compromise to the scope of the physics within the game by restricting the game state to real-valued wave-functions (which in turn implies that only gates which transform qubits within the X-Z plane can be allowed). I feel that this compromise was ultimately the correct choice: it greatly enhanced the visual clarity by allowing qubits to be represented as arrows on a flat disk rather than on a sphere, and similarly allowed the action of single-qubit gates to depicted clearly (i.e. as rotations and flips on the disk). Some purists may object to this limitation on grounds that it prevents universal quantum computation, but my counterpoint would be that there are still many interesting quantum tasks and algorithms that can be performed within this restricted scope. In a similar spirit, I decided to forgo the standard quantum circuit notation: instead I used stylized circuits to emphasize the geometric interpretation as demonstrated in the example below. This choice was made with the intention of allowing players to infer the action of gates from the visual design alone.
Okay, so while the Bloch sphere provides a nice way to represent (unentangled) single qubit states, we also need a way to represent entangled states of multiple qubits. Here I made use of some creative license to show entangled states as blinking through the basis states. I found this visualization to work well for conveying simple states such as the singlet state presented below, but players are also able to view the complete list of wave-function amplitudes if necessary.
Although the blinking effect is not a perfect solution for displaying superpositions, I think that it is useful in conveying key aspects like uncertainty and correlation. The animation below shows an example of the entangled wave-function collapsing when one of the qubits is measured.
So, thus far, I have described a quantum circuit simulator with some added visual cues and animations, but how can this be turned into a game? Here, I leaned heavily on the existing example of Zachtronic (and Zachtronic-like) games: each level in The Qubit Factory provides the player with some input bits/qubits and requires the player to perform some logical task in order to produce a set of desired outputs. Some of the levels within the game are highly structured, similar to textbook exercises. They aim to teach a specific concept and may only have a narrow set of potential solutions. An example of such a structured level is the first quantum level (lvl QI.A) which tasks the player with inverting a sequence of single qubit gates. Of course, this problem would be trivial to those of you already familiar with quantum mechanics: you could use the linear algebra result 
- the inverse of a flip (or mirroring about some axis) is another equal flip.
- the inverse of a rotation is an equal rotation in the opposite direction.
- the last transformation done on each qubit should be the first transformation to be inverted.
So I think it is plausible that, even without prior knowledge in quantum mechanics or linear algebra, a player could not only solve the level but also grasp some important concepts (i.e. that quantum gates are invertible and that the order in which they are applied matters).
Many of the levels in The Qubit Factory are also designed to be open-ended. Such levels, which often begin with a blank factory, have no single intended solution. The player is instead expected to use experimentation and creativity to design their own solution; this is the setting where I feel that the “game” format really shines. An example of an open-ended level is QIII.E, which gives the player 4 copies of a single qubit state 
The Qubit Factory begins with levels covering the basics of qubits, gates and measurements. It later progresses to more advanced concepts like superpositions, basis changes and entangled states. Finally it culminates with levels based on introductory quantum protocols and algorithms (including quantum error correction, state tomography, super-dense coding, quantum repeaters, entanglement distillation and more). Even if you are familiar with the aforementioned material you should still be in for a substantial challenge, so please check it out if that sounds like your thing!
The Potential of Quantum Games
I believe that interactive games have great potential to provide new opportunities for people to better understand the quantum realm (a position shared by the IQIM, members of which have developed several projects in this area). As young children, playing is how we discover the world around us and build intuition for the rules that govern it. This is perhaps a significant reason why quantum mechanics is often a challenge for new students to learn; we don’t have direct experience or intuition with the quantum world in the same way that we do with the classical world. A quote from John Preskill puts it very succinctly:
“Perhaps kids who grow up playing quantum games will acquire a visceral understanding of quantum phenomena that our generation lacks.”
The Qubit Factory can be played at www.qubitfactory.io
Quandela Tech Report: Certified Quantum Random Numbers on a Small Optical Chip | by Quandela Team | Quandela
Part 1: What is randomness?
What is randomness? And how can we generate it? Both questions — the first mathematical, the second technological — have profound implications in many of today’s industries and our everyday lives.
Imagine that we wanted to make a random list of 0s and 1s. This list could be used to protect your medical records as a keyword, could ensure that a lottery is trustworthy, or could encrypt a digital letter to your long-lost half-step-brother-in-law. To make this list, maybe you use the classic coin-flip method: write down a 1 every time the coin lands heads-up and a 0 otherwise. Or maybe instead, you time the decay of the radioactive cesium that you stole from the lab. Is one of these methods better than the other; does it even matter? Yes, on both counts.
Let’s explore the principles of randomness together, and some new results from Quandela that generate certifiable randomness according to the laws of quantum mechanics.
Part 2: Generating randomness
We’ve already talked about two Random-Number Generators (RNGs), the coin flip and the radioactive cesium, both of which are examples of true RNGs. That is, they rely on unpredictable physical processes (or, rather, not-easily-predictable) to make their lists of 0s and 1s. But there are many kinds of RNGs, which you can see in Fig. 1
The one programmers are probably most familiar with is pseudo-RNGs. Here, you give a random seed number to a mathematical algorithm, which uses that number to deterministically generate a longer list of numbers that look random. While this is a convenient way to generate random numbers, there is a big caveat: if someone ever gained access to your seed numbers, past or present, they could replicate all of your numbers for themselves!
Then you have true RNGs, of which there are two main kinds: classical and quantum. These are based on unpredictable physical processes. A simple example of a classical true RNG is the coin flip, but there are many more complex methods that are used in modern electronics, for example measuring thermal noise from a resistor. The Achille’s heel of classical true RNGs is that while the details of the generating process may be unknown, they are still in principle knowable. What are the implications of this? Well, if a bad guy wants to know your random numbers, they can always build a better model of your classical system for better predictions. Your classical RNG must therefore necessarily be complex.
Quantum true RNGs can do better. Rather than watching our stolen cesium beta-decay, we’ll take an example from quantum optics (see Fig. 2). Here, a train of single photons is shone onto a semi-transparent mirror, which has two outputs. Because quantum mechanics is inherently unpredictable, the single photon will randomly take one of these two paths, after which it can be measured by one of two detectors, which correspond to 0 or 1. This is good at first sight, but be careful: in an ideal world, where all of the photons really are single, the beam splitter doesn’t absorb any photons, and the detectors don’t have any noise or loss, then we really do get independent and identically distributed random numbers. But this is not an ideal world, and so we call this kind of quantum RNG device-dependent because we must trust the physical engineering of the RNG. However, quantum RNGs are still a step in the right direction because we do not have to complexify them like in the classical case.
Now, we wouldn’t have given the previous example a fancy name like device-dependent quantum true random number generator if there wasn’t also such a thing as device-independent quantum RNGs — the holy grail of RNGs. The latter devices can generate and validate their own random numbers: they are certifiably random, independent of the underlying hardware. But how can we make such a thing? We use entanglement.
Essentially, if Alice and Bob share two entangled particles, and Alice measures her particle, then the state of Bob’s particle is instantly changed according to Alice’s measurement, no matter how far apart they are. This is a fundamentally quantum effect which cannot be described classically. But we have to be careful that Alice and Bob aren’t cheating. If Alice and Bob are physically too close, then we don’t know if they’re secretly sharing information to coordinate their measurements. When they’re sufficiently separated, we call this nonlocality.
So, if Alice and Bob create a pair of entangled particles, then randomly choose how to measure them, the outcomes of their measurements are quantum-certified random so long as satisfy the nonlocality condition (and a couple of other secondary conditions which are beyond the scope of this article; see Quandela’s recent publication on quantum RNGs).
Because of nonlocality, these kinds of random-number experiments tend to be big so that the measurements are far, far apart. In a world which is both obsessed with small, scalable devices and also maximum security, how can one reconcile this paradox? This is exactly the problem that researchers at Quandela have solved.
Part 3: Quandela’s contributions
They ask:
‘How can we certify randomness generation in a device-independent way with a practical small-scale device, where [Alice and Bob could cheat thanks to communication] between the physical components of the device?’
Put another way, when you have a small device that might normally allow Alice and Bob to cheat by communicating information before the other one measures their particle, can you account for this local communication somehow to still generate certified random numbers? Quandela’s protocol measures the amount of information that an eavesdropper could potentially use to fake violation of locality, and then sets a bound on how well the device should perform if it is to still produce certified random numbers. The device also periodically tests itself to validate these numbers.
And not only has Quandela derived the theory, but they’ve also demonstrated it experimentally on a two-qubit photonic chip using Quandela’s patented single-photon quantum dot source, show in Fig. 3.
If this all sounds like a big deal, that’s because it is — the technical details are all found in the recent publication, with a patent on its way!
This achievement represents a major step towards building real-world, useable quantum-certified random number generators, one more tool in Quandela’s arsenal of quantum technologies.
If you are interested to find out more about our technology, our solutions, or job opportunities, visit quandela.com.
how spin-offs from big science are transforming the world – Physics World
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Leading Manufacturers of Fish Processing Equipment
In recent years, the global fish processing industry has witnessed a significant transformation, becoming a multi-billion-dollar sector that plays a crucial role in the world’s food supply and economy. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global fish production reached an all-time high of 171 million tonnes in 2016, with aquaculture accounting for 52% of the total. This growth underscores the increasing demand for fish and seafood products, which in turn, elevates the importance of efficient and sustainable fish processing.
Advancements in fish processing technology have been central to meeting this demand, enabling higher yields, better quality, and more sustainable practices. At the heart of these advancements are the equipment manufacturers who have been instrumental in driving innovation in the sector. These companies have not only provided the machinery that processes millions of tonnes of fish annually but have also been pivotal in shaping industry standards and practices.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the contributions of five leading manufacturers in the fish processing equipment industry: Baader, Marel, VMK (Arenco Group), Kroma, and Pisces Fish Machinery. Each of these entities has played a significant role in evolving the fish processing industry, offering unique solutions that range from individual machines to complete production lines.
Popular Fish Processing Equipment Manufacturers
1. Baader
Baader, established in Germany, is a vanguard in the fish processing equipment industry with a history stretching over a century. Known for their innovation, Baader’s product range is diverse, addressing various aspects of fish processing. Their filleting machines, for instance, are renowned for precision and efficiency, suitable for a wide array of fish species. The Baader 581, a sophisticated filleting machine, exemplifies this with its ability to process different sizes of salmon while maximizing yield. Additionally, Baader’s descaling machines, like the Baader 52DS, are celebrated for their gentle handling and thorough descaling process, which maintains fish quality. The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their waste management systems, designed to minimize by-product waste, turning it into valuable secondary products.
2. Marel
Marel, headquartered in Iceland, offers a comprehensive range of fish processing equipment known for its innovation and efficiency. Their products cater to every stage of fish processing, from primary processing to final packaging. One of their standout products is the Marel SpeedLine, a processing line designed for whitefish, which integrates filleting, trimming, and packing processes, thus enhancing efficiency and product quality. Additionally, Marel’s Innova Food Processing Software provides processors with real-time data and control over their operations, ensuring optimal performance. Marel also focuses on sustainability, with equipment like the FleXicut, a water-jet cutter that increases yield and reduces waste by precisely removing pin bones and portioning fillets to customer specifications.
3. VMK (Arenco Group)
VMK, part of the Arenco Group from Sweden, has a long-standing reputation for producing durable and efficient fish processing machinery. VMK specializes in machines for grading, filleting, and skinning, tailored for various fish types. Their VMK Fish Processing Lines are known for their flexibility and adaptability, capable of processing different species of fish with minimal changeover time. The VMK11 Automatic Filleting Machine stands out for its ability to handle a variety of fish sizes and species with high precision. VMK also focuses on the integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, ensuring robust and technologically advanced machinery that can withstand the rigors of heavy industrial use.
4. Kroma
Based in Denmark, Kroma is well-regarded in the fish processing industry for their cutting-edge gutting and filleting machines. Their GUTMASTER 1200 is a prime example, designed for high-capacity gutting with minimal human intervention, ensuring both hygiene and efficiency. Kroma’s products are characterized by their high-grade materials and ergonomic design, which promote ease of maintenance and operational efficiency. They also offer customized solutions to cater to specific fish species and processing requirements. Kroma’s focus on innovation is also evident in their safety features, ensuring that their machines are not only effective but also safe for operators.
5. Pisces Fish Machinery
Pisces Fish Machinery, based in the United States, offers a wide range of fish processing equipment, from simple hand-operated devices to fully automated processing lines. They are particularly known for their versatility in providing tailor-made solutions to meet specific processing needs. One of their notable products is the Pisces AFG-1, an automated filleting machine that can process various fish species with high precision and efficiency. Pisces also places a strong emphasis on user-friendliness and safety, with machines designed for easy operation and maintenance. Their commitment to meeting international safety and quality standards is a testament to their dedication to providing reliable and efficient fish processing solutions.
The fish processing industry continues to thrive thanks to the contributions of these leading manufacturers. Baader, Marel, VMK (Arenco Group), Kroma, and Pisces Fish Machinery each bring a unique set of strengths and innovations to the table, collectively driving the industry forward. With their commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability, they are not just The fish processing industry continues to thrive thanks to the contributions of these leading manufacturers. Baader, Marel, VMK (Arenco Group), Kroma, and Pisces Fish Machinery each bring a unique set of strengths and innovations to the table, collectively driving the industry forward. With their commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability, they are not just selling equipment; they are providing comprehensive solutions that help processors meet the challenges of today’s demanding market.
Top Aerospace Companies to Work For. Engineering at its Best
Top Aerospace Companies to work for
Are you considering a career in aerospace? This article will go over a list of 15 top aerospace companies you should consider if you are studying mechanical engineering, or looking for the best aeronautical and similar companies that hire aerospace engineers.
If you also wondering which university would be best for aerospace careers, check out our Top 10 Mechanical Engineering Courses and Degrees in the USA or Top 10 Mechanical Engineering University Courses in the UK articles.
“Aerospace companies” are usually aerospace manufacturers, and they research, design, build, test, sell and maintain aircraft/aircraft parts, missiles, rockets and spacecraft/spacecraft parts. This can include but not limited to: space vehicles, aircraft engines and propulsion units. The aerospace industry is made up of military, industrial and commercial applications.
It must be noted that aerospace is different to airspace, which is classed as the air that directly above the Earth’s surface. The end of air and start of space is generally known to be about 100km from the ground, and this is determined by the air pressure being too low that high up.
What is the biggest aerospace company?
The largest aerospace company in the world is currently Airbus, a European multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells aircraft, helicopters, and other aerospace products. Airbus is headquartered in Toulouse, France and was founded in 1970. It is a division of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which was created in 2000 through the merger of Airbus Industrie, the aerospace division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany, Aérospatiale-Matra of France, and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) of Spain.
Airbus is a major player in the global aerospace industry, with a strong presence in both the commercial and military sectors. It is known for its wide range of aircraft, including the Airbus A320 family of narrow-body jets, the Airbus A330 wide-body jet, and the Airbus A380 superjumbo jet. In addition to aircraft, Airbus also manufactures helicopters, satellites, and space launch vehicles.
Other major aerospace companies include Boeing, a U.S. company based in Chicago, Illinois, and United Technologies Corporation (UTC), a U.S. conglomerate that includes aerospace and defense products and services among its various business lines.
The Aerospace Industry
As you can imagine, there are many aerospace manufacturers in the modern world, ranging from those who have been around for a century or more, to those who have been founded relatively recently. In 2017, the size of the global aerospace industry was worth about $838 billion. This will only continue to rise due to the increasing number of travellers around the globe, as flying becomes more accessible to more people, while airplane inspection standards also becoming more rigorous and leading to more airplane retirements. It is estimated that the global aerospace market will hit $16 trillion by 2038.
The United States has the largest aerospace industry in the world, with 49% of the entire global market located there. Then there is a huge gap in the market to second place France with 8.2% and China following in third with 7.3%. China’s aerospace industry is growing very fast in recent years, and they are estimating that over the next 20 years they will acquire $1.3 trillion worth of aircraft. This will in turn create more business (about $1.6 trillion) in aftermarket service for these aircraft.
According to a report from FlightGlobal.com, here are the top 10 aerospace companies in the world, based on their sales revenue:
1. Boeing
The Boeing Company is a multinational corporation that is based in America, they design, manufacture and sell airplanes, missiles, rockets and satellites around the world. It was founded by William Boeing in 1916, and has since become one of the biggest aerospace companies in the world, due to it being the United States biggest aerospace exporter.
Boeing holds lots of records across the aerospace industry; they created and developed the very first successful airliner in the 707, the first airliner to sell over 1,000 planes in the 727, the first airliner to sell over 10,000 planes in the 737, the first widebody airliner in the 747, the first airliner created entirely with a computer in the 777 and they built the first airliner to be made up of mostly composite materials in the 787 (pictured).
Boeing has its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and has many divisions within its company:
- Boeing Capital
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA)
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS)
- Boeing Global Services
- Boeing NeXt
- Boeing Shared Services Group
- Engineering, Test & Technology
- Phantom Works
Boeing is a major player in the aerospace industry and is known for its continuous innovation and development of new products and technologies. Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The Boeing 777X: This is the latest version of Boeing’s popular 777 wide-body jet, featuring new engines and a composite wing design that allows for longer range and improved fuel efficiency. The first 777X model, the 777-9, is currently in service, and the smaller 777-8 is expected to enter service in the coming years.
- The Boeing 787 Dreamliner: This is a long-range, mid-sized wide-body jet that features a revolutionary composite structure and advanced systems that make it more fuel-efficient and comfortable for passengers. The 787 is available in several versions, including the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10.
- The Boeing 737 MAX: This is an updated version of Boeing’s popular 737 narrow-body jet, featuring new engines and advanced systems that make it more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. The 737 MAX was involved in two fatal accidents in 2018 and 2019, leading to its grounding by global aviation regulators. Boeing has since made changes to the aircraft and it has been recertified to fly, with some airlines starting to return it to service.
- The Boeing Starliner: This is a spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). It is being developed in partnership with NASA as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to establish a reliable and cost-effective way to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS. The Starliner made its first uncrewed test flight to the ISS in 2019, but an issue with its propulsion system prevented it from docking with the station. A second test flight is planned for the coming years.
Boeing has consistently ranked among the top Fortune 500 companies, which is a list compiled annually by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 U.S. publicly traded corporations by total revenue. In 2021, Boeing was ranked at number 37 on the Fortune 500 list, with a total revenue of $93.4 billion.
Boeing’s ranking on the Fortune 500 list has fluctuated over the years due to various factors such as changes in the company’s financial performance and the overall state of the economy. Despite facing challenges in recent years, including the grounding of the 737 MAX and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, Boeing remains a major player in the aerospace industry and continues to be a significant contributor to the U.S. economy.
2. Airbus
Airbus SE (societas Europaea) is a Dutch multinational corporation, however the “Europaea” allows it to be registered as European rather than just Dutch. Airbus made the most airliners in the world in 2019, and also had the most airliner orders. They design, manufacture and sell military and civil aerospace products around the world and they also manufacture aircraft.
The company is headquartered in Toulouse, France and is a division of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which was created in 2000 through the merger of Airbus Industrie, the aerospace division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany, Aérospatiale-Matra of France, and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) of Spain.
Airbus’s most adventurous move throughout its history was when they created the huge A380, which was a double decker airplane that was so massive they had to totally redesign airport infrastructure to ensure that it would fit in them! The company ventured into the large aircraft division and found some success, and some notoriety with their A300-600 Super Transporter planes, which quickly became a crowd favorite due to its ridiculous design. Shaped like a Beluga whale, it was given the nickname Beluga almost immediately, and there was even a larger version of them made, called the BelugaXL (pictured)!
Airbus is a major player in the aerospace industry and is known for its continuous innovation and development of new products and technologies. Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The Airbus A320neo: This is an updated version of Airbus’ popular A320 narrow-body jet, featuring new engines and advanced systems that make it more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. The A320neo is available in several versions, including the A320neo, A321neo, and A319neo.
- The Airbus A330neo: This is an updated version of Airbus’ A330 wide-body jet, featuring new engines and advanced systems that improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise and emissions. The A330neo is available in two versions: the A330-800 and the A330-900.
- The Airbus A350 XWB: This is a long-range, wide-body jet that features a composite structure and advanced systems that make it more fuel-efficient and comfortable for passengers. The A350 is available in several versions, including the A350-900, A350-1000, and the A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range).
- The Airbus Zephyr: This is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft that is being developed for a variety of applications, including telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The Zephyr is powered by solar panels and can fly at an altitude of over 70,000 feet (21,000 meters) for extended periods of time.
The company is divided into three main divisions:
- Commercial Aircraft (Airbus S.A.S.)
- Defence and Space
- Helicopters
Most of the company’s business is conducted through Airbus S.A.S., this is a French company based in Blagnac, just outside of Toulouse.
Airbus is a major player in the global aerospace industry, with a strong presence in both the commercial and military sectors. The company generates revenue through the sale of its aircraft and related products and services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for its aircraft and those of other manufacturers, as well as engineering, training, and consulting services.
According to Airbus’ financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was €70.5 billion ($83.9 billion), down from €80.5 billion ($96.6 billion) in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry. Despite the challenges of the past year, Airbus remains a strong player in the aerospace industry and continues to innovate and develop new products and technologies.
3. Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin Corporation is an american company that deals in aerospace, arms, defense and security, and is interested in expanding their business worldwide. Their main office is based in North Bethesda, Maryland. Their workforce consists of around 110,000 people around the world as of January 2020.
Lockheed Martin is the world’s biggest defense contractor, while also being one of the world’s largest aerospace, military support and security companies. Half of the company’s total sales are to the United States Department of Defense, with the United States Department of Energy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also being some of their biggest customers.
Lockheed Martin has set quite a few records over the course of its short 25 year history, some of which include: the world record for the highest sustained altitude in horizontal flight at 25,929 meters, which is 85,069 feet, this was set by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The same plane set another record on the very same day, setting the absolute speed record of 2,193.2 mph (miles per hour), which is also 3,529.6 kph (kilometers per hour or approx. Mach 3.3.
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The F-35 Lightning II: This is a next-generation, multirole stealth fighter aircraft that is being developed for the U.S. military and its allies. The F-35 is available in three versions: the F-35A for the U.S. Air Force, the F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and the UK’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the F-35C for the U.S. Navy. The F-35 is designed to be a highly advanced and stealthy aircraft, with a range of capabilities including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
- The S-97 Raider: This is a prototype light tactical helicopter that is being developed by Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division. The S-97 is designed to be a fast and agile aircraft, with a top speed of over 250 knots (288 mph) and a range of over 300 nautical miles (345 miles). It is being developed for a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, light attack, and transportation.
- The LM-100J: This is a commercial version of the C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft, which is being developed by Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division. The LM-100J is designed to be a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of missions, including cargo and passenger transportation, airlift, and humanitarian support.
- The Orion: This is a spacecraft that is being developed by Lockheed Martin in partnership with NASA as part of the agency’s Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the Moon by 2024 and establish a sustainable presence there. The Orion spacecraft is designed to be a highly advanced and capable vehicle that can carry a crew of up to four astronauts on long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit, including to the Moon and beyond.
It has four main divisions:
- Aeronautics
- Missiles and Fire Control (MFC)
- Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS)
- Space
According to Lockheed Martin’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was $64.4 billion, up from $59.8 billion in 2020. The company’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including aeronautics, missiles and fire control, rotary and mission systems, space, and technology services.
Lockheed Martin is a leading player in the aerospace and defense industry and is known for its innovative products and technologies. The company has a strong presence in both the commercial and government sectors and has a long history of delivering advanced solutions to its customers around the world.
4. General Electric (GE) Aviation
General Electric Company (GE) is an American multinational company registered in New York City but has their main offices in Boston. They were ranked at 21st in the “Fortune 500” list in 2019, and was one of the first 12 companies included on the initial Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896. It has severely underperformed the market in recent years, with it turning a negative profit in the last 3 out of 4 years.
General Electric Aviation is credited with building America’s first jet engine in 1941. They came up with the design based on Sir Frank Whittle’s design, and within six months they had developed the I-A engine. This included a centrifugal-flow compressor, which gave this engine a very powerful 4,000 pounds of thrust! The I-A engine led to the production of General Electric J-31, which powered the first US jet aircraft (the Bell XP-59A Airacomet).
They have the company divided up into many segments:
- Additive manufacturing
- Aviation
- Digital industry
- Healthcare
- Power
- Renewable energy
- Venture capital and finance
They have their primary business divisions named as:
- GE Aviation
- GE Additive
- GE Digital
- GE Capital
- GE Global Research
- GE Power
- GE Healthcare
- GE Renewable Energy
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The GE9X: This is the latest version of GE Aviation’s popular GE90 engine, which powers the Boeing 777X aircraft. The GE9X features a number of advanced technologies, including ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials and a compressor design that improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.
- The GE Catalyst: This is a small, lightweight turboprop engine that is being developed by GE Aviation for use in regional aircraft and drones. The Catalyst is designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on low operating costs and a low environmental impact.
- The GE Passport: This is a business jet engine that is being developed by GE Aviation for use in large, long-range business jets. The Passport features advanced technologies, including a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) fan blade and a next-generation high-pressure compressor, that improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
- The GE Affinity: This is a small, lightweight gas turbine engine that is being developed by GE Aviation for use in small aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Affinity is designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on low operating costs and a low environmental impact.
According to GE’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was $95.6 billion, down from $122.1 billion in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors of the economy. GE Aviation is a significant contributor to GE’s overall revenue, with the division generating approximately $27.4 billion in revenue in 2021.
5. Northrop Grumman
Northrup Grumman Corporation is an American company that operates in the global aerospace and defense technology markets. It has around 90,000 employees and is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of weapons and military technology providers. It ranks at 108th on the “Fortune 500” list in 2020 and has annual revenue of over $30 billion.
Northrup Grumman is also the world’s biggest shipbuilder, and the only builder of aircraft carriers for the US Navy. However, it is better known for creating the most expensive plane ever built, coming in at $2.1 Billion was the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.
It has its headquarters in West Falls Church, Virginia and has won many awards for its innovation in the aerospace industry. It was founded in 1994 and has four main divisions that it operates its business out of:
- Aerospace Systems
- Innovation Systems
- Mission Systems
- Technology Services
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnCKk6fYUJA
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The B-21 Raider: This is a next-generation, long-range stealth bomber that is being developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force. The B-21 is designed to be a highly advanced and capable aircraft, with a range of capabilities including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
- The MQ-4C Triton: This is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is being developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy. The Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV that is designed for a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and communication relay.
- The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye: This is a carrier-based, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft that is being developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy. The E-2D features advanced radar and communication systems that allow it to detect and track air and surface targets over long ranges.
- The RQ-4 Global Hawk: This is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is being developed by Northrop Grumman for a variety of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The Global Hawk is capable of flying at altitudes of over 60,000 feet (18,000 meters) for extended periods of time and is equipped with a range of sensors and communication systems.
According to Northrop Grumman’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was $45.4 billion, up from $36.2 billion in 2020. The company’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including aeronautics, missiles and fire control, space, and technology services.
In terms of government contracts, Northrop Grumman is one of the largest recipients of defense contracts in the United States. According to data from the Federal Procurement Data System, Northrop Grumman received over $18.6 billion in contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense in 2021. In addition to defense contracts, Northrop Grumman also receives contracts from other government agencies, including NASA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Science Foundation, among others. These contracts cover a variety of products and services, including space and satellite systems, cybersecurity solutions, and research and development services.
6. Raytheon
Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an American conglomerate based in Waltham, Massachusetts. Going by market capitalization and revenue, it is one of the biggest aerospace and defence manufacturers in the world. They research, develop and manufacture advanced technology products in the aerospace and defence industry, this can include but is not limited to avionics, cybersecurity, drones and aerostructures.
Raytheon is very well known for it’s missile systems, especially the Patriot missile (pictured). They also manufactured “bunker buster” missiles that actually contained depleted Uranium. Their most famous missile was one that struck Baghdad market in 2003, during the second gulf war.
As mentioned previously, Raytheon Technologies is a result of the Merger between UTC and the Raytheon Company. Due to the merger, the company now has four main divisions:
- Collins Aerospace
- Pratt & Whitney
- Raytheon Intelligence & Space
- Raytheon Missiles & Defense
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The SM-3 Block IIA: This is a missile defense system that is being developed by Raytheon for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and other international customers. The SM-3 is designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles in space, using a kinetic energy warhead to collide with and destroy the target.
- The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile: This is a high-performance, hit-to-kill missile that is being developed by Raytheon for the U.S. Army and other international customers. The PAC-3 is designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and aircraft, using a kinetic energy warhead to collide with and destroy the target.
- The GBU-53/B StormBreaker: This is a small, smart, air-launched cruise missile that is being developed by Raytheon for the U.S. Air Force. The StormBreaker is designed to be highly accurate and capable of hitting targets at long ranges, using a variety of sensors and guidance systems to navigate to the target.
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The F-35 Lightning II is a next-generation, multirole stealth fighter aircraft that is being developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. military and its allies. The F-35 is available in three versions: the F-35A for the U.S. Air Force, the F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and the UK’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the F-35C for the U.S. Navy.
The F-35 is designed to be a highly advanced and stealthy aircraft, with a range of capabilities including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). It is powered by a single GE F-135 engine and is equipped with a variety of sensors and communication systems, including a radar system that can detect and track targets at long ranges.
The F-35 program is the largest and most expensive military aircraft program in history, with a total projected cost of over $1 trillion. The aircraft has faced a number of challenges and delays, including cost overruns, technical issues, and testing problems, but it has also been praised for its advanced capabilities and is expected to be a key part of the U.S. military’s airpower for decades to come.
According to Lockheed Martin’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was $64.4 billion, up from $59.8 billion in 2020. The company’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including aeronautics, missiles and fire control, rotary and mission systems, space, and technology services. In terms of government contracts, Lockheed Martin is one of the largest recipients of defense contracts in the United States. According to data from the Federal Procurement Data System, Lockheed Martin received over $35.9 billion in contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense in 2021. These contracts cover a wide range of products and services, including aircraft, missiles, space systems, and cybersecurity solutions.
7. United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation (UTC) was an American multinational conglomerate with their headquarters based in Farmington, Connecticut. However, it has now merged with the Raytheon Company in April 2020 to form the new company Raytheon Technologies.
It dealt in numerous areas, including but not limited to: HVAC, elevators and escalators, aircraft engines, security, aerospace systems, and many more. It also researched, developed and manufactured many of the aforementioned products in-house.
UTC’s company, Pratt & Whitney created an air-cooled Wasp radial piston engine, which was way further ahead that the other engines at that time which kept the growth of the company going in the 1930s & 40s. One of the biggest moments in their history was World War 2, in which they provided half of all of the engines for the aircraft involved, over 360,000 engines!
About 10% of UTC’s business came from the United States Department of Defense, and was split up into many departments:
- Carrier
- Chubb
- Collins Aerospace
- Kidde
- Otis Elevator Company
- Pratt & Whitney
- United Technologies Research Center (UTRC)
- UTC Climate, Controls & Security
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine: This is a next-generation, fuel-efficient jet engine that is being developed by UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division for use in commercial aircraft. The GTF engine features advanced technologies, including a geared fan design and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials, that improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
- The UTC Power PureCycle: This is a fuel cell system that is being developed by UTC’s UTC Power division for use in a variety of applications, including stationary power, transportation, and portable power. The PureCycle system is designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on low operating costs and a low environmental impact.
- The Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics system: This is a next-generation avionics system that is being developed by UTC’s Collins Aerospace division for use in commercial aircraft. The Pro Line Fusion system is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including enhanced situational awareness, improved safety, and increased efficiency.
- The Otis Gen2®: This is a next-generation elevator system that is being developed by UTC’s Otis division for use in a variety of buildings. The Gen2 system is designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on low operating costs and a low environmental impact. It features advanced technologies, including energy-efficient motors and regenerative drives, that improve performance and reduce energy consumption.
According to UTC’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was $66.5 billion, down from $74.1 billion in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors of the economy. UTC’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including aerospace systems, building and industrial systems, and Otis elevators and escalators.
8. Safran
Safran S.A. is a French multinational company that designs, researches and manufactures aircraft/rocket engines. It is primarily an aerospace and defense company, and is located in Paris. It is a result of a merger between SNECMA (an aircraft and rocket engine manufacturer) and SAGEM (a security company), and also took control of Zodiac Aerospace, which expanded its aerospace business significantly.
Safran produced the very first rotary engines for airplanes in 1909, called the Gnome Omega. It employs over 95,000 people and generated over €24.64 billion in 2019.
Its business is divided into three main segments:
- Aerospace Propulsion
- Aircraft Equipment, Defense and Aerosystems
- Aircraft Interiors
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The LEAP engine: This is a next-generation, fuel-efficient jet engine that is being developed by Safran’s CFM International joint venture with General Electric (GE). The LEAP engine is being used to power a number of commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX, and features advanced technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
- The Nexcelle nacelle: This is an aircraft engine nacelle that is being developed by Safran for use on commercial aircraft. The Nexcelle nacelle is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including improved noise reduction, reduced drag, and increased efficiency.
- The Safran N2: This is a small, lightweight gas turbine engine that is being developed by Safran for use in small aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Safran N2 is designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on low operating costs and a low environmental impact.
- The Safran IDG: This is an integrated drive generator (IDG) that is being developed by Safran for use in commercial aircraft. The Safran IDG is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including improved efficiency and reduced weight. It is being used to power a number of aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX.
According to Safran’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was €21.4 billion ($25.6 billion), up from €20.3 billion ($24.3 billion) in 2020. Safran’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including aeronautics, defense, and security.
9. Rolls Royce
Rolls Royce Holdings PLC is a British multinational engineering company that owns Rolls Royce, which was founded in 1904 and provides design, manufacture and distribution services for the aviation industry among others. It is the second largest developer of aircraft engines in the world, and also does a lot of business in the marine and energy fields.
Rolls Royce had two very successful designs for engines that were to serve in the Second World War, they were the Rolls-Royce Merlin and the Rolls-Royce Griffon. The Merlin was powering the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, fighter/bomber de Havilland Mosquito and the Lancaster/Halifax heaver bombers.
Their main headquarters is at Kings Place, London, and has a market capitalisation of £4.656 billion, as of 2019. It manufactures a vast array of products, including turbojets, turbofans, turboshafts, turboprops and rocket engines.
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The Trent XWB-97 engine: This is a next-generation, fuel-efficient jet engine that is being developed by Rolls-Royce for use in commercial aircraft. The Trent XWB-97 engine is being used to power the Airbus A350-1000 and features advanced technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
- The Advance engine: This is a small, lightweight gas turbine engine that is being developed by Rolls-Royce for use in small aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Advance engine is designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on low operating costs and a low environmental impact.
- The Rolls-Royce Power Systems MTU: This is a range of diesel and gas engines that are being developed by Rolls-Royce for use in a variety of applications, including power generation, marine propulsion, and rail traction. The MTU engines are designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including improved efficiency and reduced emissions.
- The Rolls-Royce Defence: This is a range of advanced defense systems and products that are being developed by Rolls-Royce for military customers around the world. The Defence portfolio includes a variety of products and technologies, including aircraft engines, missiles, and naval systems.
According to Rolls-Royce’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was £15.5 billion ($21.3 billion), down from £15.9 billion ($21.8 billion) in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors of the economy. Rolls-Royce’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including civil aerospace, defense, and power systems.
10. Leonardo
Leonardo S.p.A. is an Italian multinational company that specialises in aerospace, defense and security. It has its headquarters in Rome, Italy, has over 180 sites around the world and is named after Leonard da Vinci! A section of it owned by the Italian government, which owns about 30% of the company and is their largest shareholder. According to 2018 revenues, it is the eighth biggest defence contractor around the world.
Leonardo is also active in the helicopter market, they develop, manage helicopter designs while also providing after sales support and pilot training. They create several different models of helicopters, with their weights ranging from 1.8 ton single engine to 16 ton three-engined.
The company is divided up into five main departments:
- Aircraft
- Aerostructures
- Cybersecurity
- Electronics
- Helicopters
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
- The M-345 HET: This is a trainer aircraft that is being developed by Leonardo for use in military and civilian pilot training programs. The M-345 HET is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including a high-performance engine and advanced avionics.
- The M-346 Master: This is a trainer aircraft that is being developed by Leonardo for use in military and civilian pilot training programs. The M-346 Master is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including a high-performance engine and advanced avionics.
- The AW609 tiltrotor aircraft: This is a next-generation aircraft that is being developed by Leonardo for use in a variety of applications, including air ambulance, search and rescue, and executive transport. The AW609 tiltrotor aircraft is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including a high-performance engine and advanced avionics.
- The AWHERO unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV): This is a small, lightweight UAV that is being developed by Leonardo for use in a variety of applications, including surveillance, border patrol, and environmental monitoring. The AWHERO UAV is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including advanced sensors and communication systems.
According to Leonardo’s financial reports, the company’s revenue for 2021 was €13.1 billion ($15.7 billion), up from €12.7 billion ($15.2 billion) in 2020. Leonardo’s revenue is derived from a diverse range of business lines, including aeronautics, defense, and security.
11. NASA
NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and it is classified as an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. NASA controls the U.S. space program, and they also conduct space and aeronautics research. It was founded in 1958, and has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. They lead the United State’s efforts for space exploration and have been responsible for the famous Apollo Moon landing, the Space Shuttle and the Skylab Space Station.
NASA are involved in the development of many new projects, including the Space Launch System, Commercial Crew vehicles and the Orion spacecraft. They are also overseeing the Launch services program, who oversee launch operations and manage the countdown on NASA launches that are uncrewed.
It has many programs that are focused on understanding the Earth better – through the Earth Observing System, exploring the Solar System – with new robotic spacecraft like New Horizons, advancing heliophysics and researching astrophysics through the Science Mission Directorate’s Heliophysics Research program, the Great Observatories and other related programs.
Going forward, NASA has a renewed focus on climate change and reducing its carbon footprint on the world. They are focusing on increasing the efficiency and safety of current jet engines while also reducing CO2 emissions. Read about How to get a mechanical engineering job at NASA.
Some of NASA’s latest developments include:
- The Artemis program: This is a human spaceflight program that is being developed by NASA to send astronauts back to the Moon and eventually to Mars. The Artemis program includes a number of missions, including the Artemis I mission, which is an uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, and the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972.
- The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket: This is a next-generation heavy-lift rocket that is being developed by NASA for use in a variety of missions, including the Artemis program and other deep space exploration missions. The SLS rocket is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including powerful engines and a large payload capacity.
- The Perseverance rover: This is a Mars rover that was launched by NASA in 2020 and is currently exploring the surface of the planet. The Perseverance rover is equipped with a range of scientific instruments and technologies that are being used to study the geology, climate, and potential for past microbial life on Mars.
- The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): This is a next-generation space telescope that is being developed by NASA in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The JWST is designed to be highly advanced and capable, with a range of features including a large mirror and advanced sensors that will allow it to study the earliest stars and galaxies in the universe.
According to NASA’s financial reports, the agency’s budget for fiscal year 2021 was $24.7 billion. This funding is used to support a wide range of activities, including space exploration, scientific research, and the development of new technologies and products.
12. SpaceX
SpaceX or Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is an American space transportation and aerospace manufacturer that has its headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Elon Musk founded the company in 2002 to decrease the cost of space travel, with the ultimate goal of colonizing Mars! They have created many new rocket engines and launch vehicles, including the Starlink satellite constellation, the Dragon cargo spacecraft and they have transported humans to the International Space Station on the Dragon 2 spacecraft.
SpaceX has been a groundbreaking company in its relatively short history, one of its main achievements has been the development of the very first privately funded propelled-by-liquid rocket to travel to orbit with the Falcon 1 in 2008. Some of their other very impressive missions have involved being the first private company to launch, reach orbit and recover a spacecraft with the Dragon in 2010, and the first vertical take-off and propulsive landing for an orbital rocket in 2015 with the Falcon 9.
Not stopping there, SpaceX plans to unveil Starship, which will attempt to be the largest rocket ever and will be fully reusable, with its debut scheduled for the early 2020s. Musk has been vocal about his goals of reducing the cost of space travel by a factor of 10, with a goal of $500 per pound or less. His conquest to bring spaceships to Mars is also going full steam ahead, as two unmanned spacecraft are planned to travel to Mars 2022. These will be to seek out sources of water and build a propellant plant, and further spaceships will follow in 2024 with people! After that, Musk’s lofty goal of colonising Mars will begin, however, these plans are already experiencing significant delays.
13. General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is an American defense and aerospace company. It is the fifth-biggest defense contractor in the US as of 2019, and is the sixth-biggest in the world by sales. It was formed in 1954 and is headquartered in Reston, Fairfax County, Virginia. It came into existence through multiple divestitures and mergers in the post-Cold War era. They make and provide missiles, submarines, rockets, tanks, fighters, electronics and warships to all military services.
It is segmented into the following areas: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Technology (IT), Marine Systems and Mission Systems. One of its most successful ventures was the Fighting Falcon F-16, which first flew in January 1974 and proved to beat its competition in performance testing. Once production began in 1975 orders surged and totaled more than 4,000, making it the most successful project in the company’s history, and once of the most successful western military ventures since World War 2.
14. Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an American sub-orbital spaceflight services company and aerospace manufacturer. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, and is headquartered in Kent, Washington. At its head, the CEO Bob Smith is leading the company’s charge to make space travel cheaper and more reliable through making spacecraft reusable.
They employ an incremental approach to adapt their suborbital flight to orbital flight, with a focus on rocket-powered vertical takeoff and vertical landing. They have not yet flown with passengers as the company has pushed back the date for commercial flights since 2018.
They entered the orbital spaceflight technology business in 2014, and supplied rocket engines to other aerospace companies before announcing plans to make and fly their own orbital vehicle. Testing for this “New Glenn” project is still in its testing phase as of 2021.
Blue Origin have big plans for the future with plans for a moon lander called “Blue Moon” scheduled for 2024.
15. Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is an American aerospace and spaceflight corporation. Its ultimate purpose is to develop commercial spacecraft and give tourists the ability to go on suborbital space flights and launches for their space science missions. Virgin Galactic was founded by Richard Branson, and he purchased five SpaceShipTwo spacecrafts along with two WhiteKnightTwos to get the company off the ground (excuse the pun). Branson then predicted that Virgin Galactic would have its maiden voyage in 2008, but this was delayed after a disaster in 2007 that ended up killing three people during testing.
The maiden journey was set back further by an in-flight crash of the VSS Enterprise in 2014. Virgin Galactic finally achieved their goal by completing their first suborbital flight in December 2018, reaching an altitude of 82.7 kilometers. They then took another big step in the right direction by completing a flight in February 2019 that included three people, including one passenger.
Virgin Galactic has had its set-backs, but they continue to develop and progress towards their ultimate goal of having commercial space flights. With their new ships – the VSS3 and VSS 4, they will hope to achieve just that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM7_riujkSk
There you have it, the top 15 aerospace companies in the world, based on sales revenue. Are there any companies that you feel deserve to be on the list, or do you work at one of these companies? Let us know with a comment down below!
