Electrical Evolution in Modern Aircraft Advancements and Challenges

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of More Electric Aircraft (MEA) and explores its potential advantages for manned aircraft. It outlines typical electrical power systems, loads, and future challenges in the aerospace industry. The importance of power electronics in enabling this shift in aircraft design is highlighted, along with examples of system designs. The MEA and the transition to electric vehicles have been extensively studied, aiming to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, aligning with similar objectives in automobiles. Conventional aircraft systems rely on various types of power—electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic—each with its drawbacks, impacting overall efficiency. The shift towards new electrical systems in future aircraft aims to enhance engine start, efficiency, emissions, reliability, and cost-effectiveness by replacing primary non-electric systems. The essay deeply examines evolving aviation systems, discussing potential innovations like gas-electric propulsion and electric taxis. It also delves into the application of the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method in Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) for addressing manufacturing decision challenges across diverse areas like cutting fluids, industrial robots, and material machinability. The study emphasizes the WASPAS method's effectiveness in precisely ranking alternatives across these scenarios and explores the impact of the parameter λ on its performance. Test results using the WASPAS method offer insights into classifying the best and worst aircraft alternatives.