Multidisciplinary Technologies
As part of the aviation research programme, the Overall System Technologies department is responsible for all research projects relating to aircraft systems and the cabin as well as flight physics and flight guidance. Topics relating to Urban Aircraft Mobility (UAM) and general aviation processes are also dealt with here.
Society's changing mobility requirements call for new holistic development, operation and maintenance concepts. To this end, technological solutions need to be found that can be utilised in the market. This applies both to classic construction methods and processes and to disruptive configurations. Optimisation of efficiency, weight, costs and climate compatibility are addressed in all areas.
Reasons for the research
The central goal is to significantly reduce the climate impact of aviation through aviation-induced greenhouse gases and non-CO2 effects. Particularly in view of the expected increase in air traffic volumes, this will only be possible in future through substantially more efficient and climate-neutral technologies and air transport systems. Improving transport performance, including the integration of new unmanned aerial vehicles into the airspace, is also one of the research objectives. For the market opportunities and social acceptance of the technology, it is still important to guarantee the high standards of safety, reliability and comfort for the passengers of tomorrow. Reducing noise pollution on the ground is also a high priority.
New technologies and processes should make the cabin of tomorrow more environmentally friendly for people and nature and create a consistently digital and efficient experience for both passengers and crew. This also includes cargo systems and processes. The focus is on two major topics in particular: digitalisation and the use of new materials, design and manufacturing processes.
Furthermore, new aircraft concepts offer the opportunity to make aviation more environmentally friendly by optimising resistance, energy and noise.
New technologies, processes and regulations in the area of flight guidance must also contribute to significant improvements in the performance and climate compatibility of aviation. In particular, the focus here is on efficient routing to reduce flight distances and the consistent minimisation of non-CO2 effects.
Urban Air Mobility offers the opportunity to relieve the ground-based transport system with an efficient and low-emission aircraft. The challenge is to gain public acceptance and, in particular, to fulfil safety-critical requirements.
The trend in the field of aircraft systems towards an all-electric aircraft can make a substantial contribution to high-performance, safe and efficient aviation. The model-based approach in development and consideration of the entire life cycle are important elements here. However, the new systems and architectures to be developed must fulfil the high aeronautical safety requirements and should contribute to a reduction in costs, weight and the required installation space.
Current research priorities
The current research priorities in the respective specialist areas can be summarised as follows:
Passenger-friendly and eco-efficient cabin:
Topics of particular interest for the cabin and cargo area of commercial aircraft, general aviation aircraft and rotorcraft are supported until the technology has been proven. The main topics are
- efficient, passenger-friendly and flexible cabin configurations
- pioneering information, communication and management systems
- environmentally friendly manufacturing, assembly and MRO processes
- high-strength materials, resource-saving and recyclable
- innovative cabin energy architecture
- efficient cargo systems
- integrated structural and cabin concepts
- Development of digital cabin services
Flight physics:
Contributions to the realisation of environmentally compatible, noise-reduced and competitive aircraft can be made in the field of flight physics, in particular through activities in the following key areas:
- Passive and active drag reduction measures
- lift-generating fuselage structures, active and passive flow control
- Numerical and experimental methods for the efficient development of improved aircraft
- Integration of engines with a high bypass ratio into the overall aircraft design
- Utilisation of secondary flight controls and peripherals to support primary flight control
- Reliable load determination and active load reduction to better utilise the lightweight construction potential of modern materials and construction methods
Safe, efficient and environmentally compatible aviation processes, flight guidance and air traffic control:
This subject area includes technologies for ground-based and airborne actors, operators, operators and pilots. The main topics are as follows:
- safe and robust navigation and traffic management in all flight and weather conditions
- efficient and networked assistance, communication and information systems
- complex technologies for flight planning, flight execution and operations as well as their efficient optimisation and also with regard to emissions
Powerful, safe and energy-efficient systems:
Topics from the field of modern and efficient systems as well as new system architectures for commercial aircraft, general aviation aircraft and rotorcraft are funded until the technology is proven. The main topics are
- systems and components with optimised power-to-weight ratio (with condition monitoring)
- Efficient energy conversion and distribution
- modern communication channels and architectures
- Generic computer platforms and intelligent software solutions
- pioneering system solutions for aerodynamic optimisation
- Method and tool development to reduce development and testing costs