Dear Colleagues,

Aerospace science and technology are increasingly dedicated to the advancement of high-performance structural composite materials and the integration of smart structures through cutting-edge manufacturing processes, meticulous material characterisations, and rigorous structural evaluations. Fibre-reinforced composites are considered paramount in propelling aerospace development forward, given their compatibility with a range of matrices, including polymers (both thermoset or thermoplastic), metals, and ceramics. This multidisciplinary approach encompasses research into structural and material interactions, emphasizing specific strength, stiffness, superior mechanical properties, and multifunctionality.

Smart composite structures are enablers for mitigating adverse environmental challenges and operational complexities (such as fatigue, damage tolerance, gust alleviation, humidity, and temperature). Thus, enhancing the performance of structural composites becomes imperative for improving manoeuvrability and enabling data-driven management. The next generation of technologies, including nano-techniques, self-healing materials, and renewable composite materials, is expected to make significant contributions to the sustainability of aerospace applications.

Research and technology in advanced aerospace composite materials and smart structures encompass various other areas, including multifunctionality, digital twin technology, life cycle assessment, self-healing mechanisms, predictive maintenance, maintenance repair and overhaul, non-destructive evaluation, and structural composite mechanics and simulation.

We cordially invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on advanced aerospace composite materials and smart structures. We also welcome studies related to non-destructive inspection methods, novel material characterisation and testing, and certification efforts that support the implementation of smart composite structures.

Members of the research community are welcome to contribute their research articles, reviews, and short communications on this Special Issue, titled Advanced Aerospace Composite Materials and Smart Structures.

I would like to thank Jason Hwang (NLR, Netherlands) for his significant contribution to this Special Issue.

Dr. Kyungil Kong
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• experimental mechanics

• smart structures
• non-destructive inspection
• renewable composites
• digital twin
• interphase (interface)
• self-healing composites
• structural health monitoring
• composite manufacturing