Visionary Aircraft Concepts

Contact

List of researchers

Motivation

The volume of air traffic will double over the next twenty years. This growth in mobility, the increasing scarcity of resources and the environmental impact are important driving forces in the research and development of future aircraft systems. Traditional technology and research programs have reached a high maturity level which means that expanded capacities, increased efficiency and sustainable transport solutions can only be achieved with alternative, unconventional aircraft concepts. Combining discrete technical solutions in an innovative approach may generate potential for improvement, but also disadvantages, that are not discernible in the individual technology. Integration is therefore an important prerequisite for assessing the innovation potential of the system as a whole.

Task

The aim of Bauhaus Luftfahrt is to assess the innovative potential of radical new solutions, which take the key challenges for the aviation of the future into account. The focus is on the reduction of specific fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and noise in the area around the airport. It should be noted that Bauhaus Luftfahrt’s task is not to prepare aircraft configurations for imminent development. Rather than looking at the current industrial situation, the scientists have set their sights on a time horizon between 2030 and 2050.

Approach

By means of an interdisciplinary dialogue,

• visionary aircraft concepts are analysed;
• new solutions are developed for those aspects identified as critical;
• innovation potential and areas of risk are assessed;
• components and decision-making aids for future aircraft systems are provided.

From a large number of unconventional aircraft concepts (e.g. box-wing, blended wing body, three-surface aircraft, flying wing, etc.), those offering the greatest potential for improvement with regard to alternative technological solutions are examined in detail. Comparison with current aircraft systems is based on reference configurations with different ranges, speeds and passenger capacities.