Aerospace Engineering and Aviation

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Aerospace Engineering and Aviation

We develop enabling technologies for next generation air transportation systems at the aircraft and airframe level and at the system level.

We develop enabling technologies for next generation air transportation systems at the aircraft and airframe level and at the system level.

We develop enabling technologies for next generation air transportation systems at the aircraft and airframe level and at the system level.

We are an Australian leader in aerospace engineering and aviation research, with Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA 2018) rating RMIT at "well above world standard" for aerospace engineering. Our research has an integrated engineering approach to systems development, operations and life-cycle management across three main areas: aviation, urban transport systems, and integrated transport logistics and life-cycle management.

Capabilities

Our research activity encompasses four capability areas, each supporting several key technologies.

Aerospace materials and multifunctional composite structures

Through-life support of ageing airframes and life cycle cost
Integrity assessment and airworthiness
Damage tolerance, progression and failure
Structural health monitoring
Robust design and optimisation
Smart materials and structures

Unmanned aircraft systems design and field operations

Architecture and system design autonomy
Flight operations and airworthiness
New generation from bio-inspired and MAV to high-altitude long endurance UAS
UAS integration, sense and avoid
Safety and regulations

Aerodynamic loading and multidisciplinary design and optimisation

Flow-structure – fluid-structure interaction and hydrodynamics
Aeroservoelasticity and vibration suppression
Advanced solutions to enhance air-platforms performance including manoeuvrability and control effectiveness
System identification
Energy harvesting
Hypersonics

Avionics, air traffic management and mission systems

Future ATM and avionics systems (CNS+A)
Key technology enablers and systems for a sustainable aviation
Mission systems for civil and military aviation
Human factors engineering solutions
Sensors, multi sensor systems and data fusion
Intelligent Transport Systems

Our impact

We work with a range of Australian and global organisations to provide innovative solutions across civil and defence industries. Our partners include:

ACS Australia
Airbus
Air Force (USA)
Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
Boeing Aerostructures and Boeing Defence
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
Capability, Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)
Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA)
Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
Defence Science Institute (DSI)
DefendTex
Department of Defence (Australia)
Department of Defence (USA)
Flight Data Systems
Ford Motor Company
General Electric
LEAP Australia
Lockheed Martin
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Northrop Grumman
Pratt and Whitney
Thales

Highlights of our current research include:

multidisciplinary design and optimisation
development of hydrocarbon fuel system for hypersonic airbreathing vehicles
development of rotating detonation engines for hypersonic vehicles
cognitive human-machine interface and interaction for ATM systems
cost-benefit assessment of future aerospace concepts for defence
virtual prototyping, digital twin and digital thread
bragg-grating fiber laser ultrasonic sensors for structural health monitoring
improved autonomous surveillance for UAV flight in complex urban terrains
submarine dynamics and control
innovative multi-physics approach to individual aircraft tracking and aircraft sustainment
fatigue and structural and material experimentation

Research centres and groups

Our expertise and facilities contribute to many research organisations across Australia.

ARC Training Centre for Lightweight Automotive Structures
Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC)
Intelligent Mobility and Vehicle Evolutions (iMOVE) CRC
LMS Noise Vibration Harshness Centre of Expertise
Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre
Cyber-Physical Systems Group
DST Group HA WILLS Structures and Materials Test Centre

Facilities

Our work is supported by major state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
Composite Fabrication Facility
Green Engines Laboratory
Aerospace Intelligent and Autonomous Systems Laboratory
Flight Simulators
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Laboratory
Wind tunnels
Noise Vibration Harshness Laboratory

Who we are

Aerospace Engineering and Aviation staff

Latest news

City buildings could blow air taxi future off course

27 Mar 2023

Air taxis are coming to our cities, but a new study warns regulations will need to address dangerous wind gusts around city buildings and other urban infrastructure.

Up, up and away: RMIT engineers part of team transforming urgent stroke care in the air and on the ground

11 Mar 2021

RMIT researchers will build light, portable brain scanners into air and road ambulances as part of a project to revolutionise stroke care in Australia.

Engineering students shine at EnGenius 2020 despite pandemic

28 Oct 2020

A new project that uses artificial intelligence to maintain ageing port infrastructure is one of many dynamic ideas featured at EnGenius, RMIT’s annual event showcasing final year engineering students’ projects and products.

Sensors to spot the sweetest summer fruit

08 Oct 2020

Researchers are trialling new sensor technology with local fruit growers to reveal how ripe and sweet the fruit is without even taking a bite.

Closeup robot hand machine picking up white ball on bokeh blurred background. Use smart robot in manufacturing industry. Robotic tool in factory. Robot engineering concept

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag

torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information