Aerospace applications of computers

Computers now play an indispensable role in the design and13; development of aerospace vehicles, right from the conceptual design stages to the manufacturing lines and during operation of the vehicles. In the design and development stages, computers are widely used in the aerodynamic design, and, structural analysis of the aerospace vehicles and its power plant. During manufacture of the various components, computers are playing an increasingly important role .in controlling machines for producing highly complex parts to the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry. During operation of the aerospace vehicles, computers are used to control the various on-board systems to achieve speeds and accuracy that go a long way in achieving the stunning performance of todays aircraft, rockets and other space vehicles. In fact, the applications of computers are so widespread and diverse in the aerospace field, that it is13; not possible to cover all of them in a short article such as this one. Some of the important areas such as aerodynamic design, structural analysis and computer aided design and computer graphics will now be discussed with particular reference to on-going work in the National. Aeronautical Laboratory, Bangalore