Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

In-flight Lightning Strike Damage Assessment System

Objectif

Lightning threats have to be considered for competitiveness and safety reasons in the design and the certification of aircraft. The amount of damage to structures and upset of systems produced by a lightning strike depends on the lightning attachment location,the type of the aircraft skin material and finish. Most importantly it depends on the dwell time at the attachment point, and the shape and amplitude of the lightning currents which flow during the strike. A research project is proposed to introduce an innovative and efficient measurement system called ILDAS (In-flight Lightning Strike Damage Assessment System), initially on Airbus aircraft, that is able to characterize the lightning strike parameters and current flowing on an in-flight aircraft skin during a lightning strike. In flight, the installed system will record the current flowing on the aircraft skin during a lightning strike. On ground, the recorded data can be downloaded and will then provide an accurate assessment of the severity of any lightning strike sustained rapidly after the event. Immediate knowledge of the strike severity will give airlines an indication of the required level of post-strike inspection and maintenance to be done, saving down time and cost, since the majority of lightning strikes do not cause significant damage. In addition, the present definition of test standards related to the lightning environment is based on limited statistics ground-based data and few in-flight events from specific research programs.There is a great need at aircraft manufacturers, and within the international community involved in the definition of test standards for certification, for a data base on in-flight lightning strikes. The application of ILDAS will result in a rapid build-up of a lightning strike data base.This will enable a more appropriate test standard to evolve through European and international standards committees that act on behalf of the European aircraft industry

Appel à propositions

FP6-2005-AERO-1
Voir d’autres projets de cet appel

Coordinateur

STICHTING NATIONAAL LUCHT- EN RUIMTEVAARTLABORATORIUM
Contribution de l’UE
Aucune donnée
Adresse
Anthony Fokkerweg 2 (postal code 1059 CM)
90502 AMSTERDAM
Pays-Bas

Voir sur la carte

Liens
Coût total
Aucune donnée

Participants (13)