INDESTRUCTI-BEETLE

Irvine, Calif.

The diabolical ironclad beetle’s exoskeleton is one of the most crush-resistant structures in the biological world. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, are demonstrating how engineers can benefit from the exoskeleton’s design.

BATTLE BEAM

Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

During a field test, the Boeing Compact Laser Weapon System successfully defended a force protection convoy against simulated unmanned aerial system threats while mounted on a small utility task vehicle.

PLUG-IN PLANE

London

Aerospace engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has completed testing of technology to power what it calls the world’s fastest all-electric plane.

ROXYGEN

Hyderabad, India

Liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas power a cryogenic rocket engine prototype developed by startup Skyroot Aerospace.

SELF-REPAIR ROBOTS

Singapore

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University have developed a way for robots to use artificial intelligence to identify “pain” and repair damage.

TUBE TRAIN TEST

Uiwang-si, South Korea

The Korea Railroad Research Institute announced that its hyper-tube train eclipsed the 1,000 kph mark, reaching 1,019 kph (633 mph) in a minitube used for aerodynamic testing.

AUTONOMOUS TEAMWORK

Cloncurry, Australia

Five high-performance surrogate jets operated autonomously in a team at Queensland Flight Test Range. The Boeing flight tests evaluated artificial intelligence algorithms that “teach” the aircraft to understand and collaborate.