Objective The objectives defined in “Flightpath 2050” as well as the limited availability of fossil fuels call for significant reductions in fuel consumption in the air transport sector. Novel propulsion concepts are thus a field of intense research, with particular trends that emerge: hybrid energy sources may not only be more efficient, but open up new degrees of freedom in terms of airframe-engine integration. The power plant system can be fully or partially embedded in the airframe, and thus exploit the benefits of boundary layer ingestion and wake filling, which have proven to allow lower power requirements. However, despite the established advantages of such integrated propulsion concepts, little effort has been expended to examine the practical implementation in realistic aircraft systems. The project DisPURSAL investigates the impact of novel propulsion concepts in a holistic manner, covering the aspects of power generation and drive chain architectures as well as engine-airframe integration together with the impact on aircraft performance and emissions. The project is set up around two case studies, namely a “distributed propulsion concept” with multiple propulsive devices, and a “propulsive fuselage concept” featuring a propulsive device encircling the fuselage. Starting from the definition of realistic operational and systems requirements, initial concept exploration and down-selection define a baseline and feed into a multi-disciplinary design optimization process, which quantifies the efficiency potentials at aircraft level. Detailed numerical flow simulation is used to evaluate the strong interaction of airframe and propulsion. DisPURSAL shows the potential of distributed propulsion and highlights synergy effects with turbo-electric aircraft architectures. A technology roadmap derived in the project will contribute to establish distributed propulsion as a serious option for future air transport and sustain the competitiveness of the European aviation industry. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhybrid energyengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft Programme(s) FP7-TRANSPORT - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Transport (including Aeronautics) Topic(s) AAT.2012.6.3-1. - Breakthrough and emerging technologies Call for proposal FP7-AAT-2012-RTD-L0 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator BAUHAUS LUFTFAHRT EV Address Willy messerschmitt strasse 1 82024 Taufkirchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Laurence Ruf (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 232 232,00 Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF AVIATION MOTORS Russia EU contribution € 171 466,00 Address Aviamotornaya st 2 111116 Moscow See on map Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Andrey Kornienko (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH Germany EU contribution € 60 520,00 Address Willy-messerschmitt-strasse 1 82024 Taufkirchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Julia Lobbes Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window OFFICE NATIONAL D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES AEROSPATIALES France EU contribution € 127 082,00 Address Chemin de la huniere 91120 Palaiseau See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Essonne Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jean-Michel Goulon (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window