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This paper presents the results of four case studies of future fighter concepts incorporating new technologies. The introduction of advanced materials, enhanced agility and lower observability are individually assessed relative to an existing design (F-16). All these technologies are then integrated into a single design concept for final assessment. A newly developed mass prediction model (AMBER) [1] [2] has been used in these studies to estimate structural masses, centers of gravity and pitch inertia. The method employs idealized structural analysis to size the aircraft framework. This allows more accurate predictions in the aircraft conceptual design phase than existing statistically based methods and provides design insights into the aircraft configuration.

An experiment is described in which students from two universities, one in the UK and one in the USA, worked together in multidisciplinary teams on aircraft design projects to satisfy the “capstone” design course requirements in their respective degree programs. Aeronautical, Mechanical, Industrial, and Systems Engineering students from Virginia Tech and Loughborough University were placed on teams to work on two different airplane designs. The paper describes the evolution of this educational collaboration and the organization of the experiment. It also reviews the program ’s successes and its problems. Recommendations are made for continuation of the program and to guide others who might be interested in pursuing a similar experiment.