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The trend has gone the other way though. Companies like Wright, Curtiss, Martin Baker and Vought did complete aircraft but ended up doing subsystems. The aircra
by Gravityloss 10y ago
The trend has gone the other way though. Companies like Wright, Curtiss, Martin Baker and Vought did complete aircraft but ended up doing subsystems. The aircraft and development projects have grown. The market has matured to a few big players. If you look at the A350 construction videos, you get a little glimpse of the massive investment required just for that part. New technologies like vacuum infused out of autoclave composites might simplify manufacturing a lot though. IIRC Sukhoi Superjet uses them.
- dredmorbius 10y agoWright got into the business prior to its significant maturation, as I recall. I suspect you could divide the industry at some arbitrary point and argue signifibant maturity by then. 1950, 60, or 70 depending on whether you're considering manufacturers, technology, or airframes, by and large. Consolidation does seem to be a very strong trend, and one that may prove difficult to reverse.