Here's what we learned at the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow

Digital Industry Insider

The next generation of aviation technology was on show at this year's Farnborough International Airshow. This is where the industry's leading firms reveal what they've been working on, and compete fiercely to secure huge deals for their upcoming products.

Digital Industry Insider was there in 2016 to see the innovations and dealmaking first hand. Here are five things we learned.

• Two of the world's most powerful jet engines were on display as engineers continue to integrate digital technologies into hardware. One of the most impressive integrations uses information gathered during manufacturing and operations to make predictions about the future.
• The environmental impact of the industry is a priority among public and private organizations. In Europe, the Clean Sky venture is accelerating the development and adoption of clean technologies by 20 years.
• Dealmakers defied the global economic malaise and recent Brexit to sign $123.9 billion in orders and options. That included 856 aircraft and 1,407 engines. GE and CFM International, GE's joint company with France's Safran Aircraft Engines, reported a combined total of $25 billion in new business.
• As fighter jets get smaller, quicker, and quieter, cargo carriers continue to grow. The monster Antonov An-124 Ruslan freighter was on show at Farnborough, boasting a 150-ton cargo capacity. Here's a look inside.
• The outlook from industry experts at the show was almost unanimously of a data-driven future. Digital technology is predicted to drive further automation in manufacturing, personalized service for passengers, and better business decisions by airlines.

This content was co-created by GE and BI Studios for Digital Industry Insider.

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