Disruptive technologies in aviation: Preliminary study

Disruptive technologies, with their innovative and destructive characteristics, have been leading the transformation of human mode of life and combat operations, and also playing an important role in the rise and fall of major powers and civilization evolution. In the history of aviation, numerous disruptive technologies have emerged to replace the previous technologies, profoundly influencing the process of aviation and shaping the basic pattern of today's air combat and civil aviation transportation. The world is currently at the crossroads of a new round of industrial and military revolution, and whether it is possible to identify, research, and industrialize various disruptive technologies including those in the aviation field is crucial for reshaping the future social form and military landscape. This article briefly illustrates the understanding of disruptive technologies from the aspects of concept, three significant characteristics, and identification and acquisition. The important influence of disruptive technologies on the previous three industrial revolutions is discussed, the significant changes brought by five typical aviation disruptive technologies in history presented, the important trend of the high-energy and intelligent compound development of aviation science and technology in the future analyzed, nine possible disruptive technologies and potential impacts in the four fields of material manufacturing, energy power, information electronics and cross-integration predicted, and suggestions for the development of disruptive technologies in aviation proposed. We expect that more future disruptive technologies in aviation will be initiated and developed by Chinese people.