Relentless Innovation Connects Aviation’s Past, Present and Future

Innovation is a thread running through aviation’s entire history. 

From Leonardo da Vinci’s prophetic sketches to the Wright brothers’ first powered flights to today’s highly connected, digitally enabled aircraft, progress has been driven by bold ideas, brilliant engineering and a shared passion for making flying safer, more efficient and more accessible. 

That same thread brings aviation to an inflection point, centering on the need to simultaneously address today’s pressing challenges and shape the future of flight, which will be defined by smarter systems, greater autonomy and seamless integration across the skies we share. 

“Innovation is the lifeblood of aviation,” said Todd Giles, Honeywell Aerospace Chief Technology Officer. “The pace of change is accelerating, and innovation is enabling huge advances in aircraft electrification, autonomy, resilient navigation and artificial intelligence.” 

Artificial Intelligence Accelerates Innovation 

Artificial intelligence is speeding up innovation on the flight deck, according to Bob Buddecke, Honeywell Aerospace’s President of Electronic Solutions. 

“We can use AI to create deterministic models and move toward reduced crew operations, simplified vehicle operations or even all the way to full autonomy with a human in the loop only when needed,” he said. “Advancing and automating routine tasks allows pilots to focus on the highest value and most flight-critical tasks.” 

Honeywell innovators pioneered the integrated flight deck with Primus Epic, which flies today on thousands of the world’s leading business jets. Primus Epic introduced the world to large flat-panel liquid crystal displays, a Windows-like display architecture and a human-centered cockpit design to make flying easier and more intuitive.

“We continue to bring new technology to the Primus Epic flight deck, which will be a leading technology solution for many, many years to come,” Buddecke said. “At the same time, we're working on our next-generation flight deck, which we call Honeywell Anthem. Honeywell Anthem is highly innovative, it’s modular, customizable and scalable for use on air transport, business and advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.” 

Anthem’s innovative features make the cockpit simpler, more intuitive and more adaptable to the pilot’s specific preferences. Cloud-connected features, streamlined data entry, integrated applications and advanced situational awareness tools reduce pilot workload and support faster, more informed decision-making.

Honeywell is also using AI to enable Honeywell Ensemble, a new digital maintenance service that continuously monitors and records engine performance data for operators of Honeywell’s class-leading super-midsized turbofan propulsion engine, the HTF7000.

“The Ensemble appliance measures 50,000 parameters and transmits the data to our database after every flight so we can analyze the information and predict failure modes before they can cause aircraft downtime,” said Dave Marinick, President of Honeywell Aerospace’s Engines and Power Systems.

Innovation’s Future Is Electric

Innovation is accelerating the electrification of aircraft, which is reshaping how propulsion, power management and onboard systems are designed, integrated and operated, according to Marinick.

Honeywell developed the world’s largest airborne generator, which can be paired with gas turbine engines to replace conventional systems and reduce aircraft weight. Honeywell currently holds a production contract for the world's largest airborne generator (1 MW) with Flying Whales. 

“The evolution toward more electric aircraft is most apparent in the AAM space, which is dominated by electric and hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft,” said Dave Shilliday, Vice President and General Manager for AAM at Honeywell Aerospace. “Honeywell has decades of propulsion engine experience to call upon as we develop electric and hybrid-electric powertrains for AAM aircraft.” 

Honeywell provides a range of other key technologies for AAM aircraft, including digital fly-by-wire controls, Honeywell Assure smart electromechanical actuation systems, Anthem advanced flight deck, and other features that enhance safety and efficiency. 

Advancing Safety Through Innovation

Improving safety continues to be a top priority as passenger traffic increases, airspace becomes more crowded and complex, and AAM platforms, uncrewed vehicles and more autonomous aircraft enter service. The aviation community is aligning forces to address new challenges, set rigorous common standards and build on aviation’s extraordinary decades-long safety record. 

“Aviation innovations have driven greater and greater increases in safety and efficiency with advancements in air traffic management, global positioning technologies and onboard safety technologies like weather radar and terrain avoidance systems such as the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS), which have saved countless lives over the decades,” Giles said. 

Honeywell pioneered EGPWS and many other innovations that define modern aviation safety, and its legacy continues with advanced runway safety technologies such as the Runway Situational Awareness Alerting System (RSAAS) and Surface Alerts (SURF-A) technologies can significantly improve runway safety.

Generations of scientists and engineers are responsible for innovations that are changing the entire aviation ecosystem. Aviation innovators at aircraft manufacturers, government laboratories, universities and technology solution providers are creating cutting-edge aircraft and advanced systems that are transforming aviation as we know it. 

Over the last century, relentless innovation has been the driving force behind transforming aviation from its barnstorming past into one of the world’s safest and most reliable modes of transportation. 

No single company or stakeholder can shape what comes next on their own. By working together across industry, government and the aviation community, we can responsibly integrate new aircraft, manage growing complexity and create the future of aviation.