CO2 and NOX emissions of international air traffic must be reduced, so that aviation becomes more sustainable. This requires innovative technologies that reduce aircraft fuel consumption. The ACASIAS project takes up this challenge by improving aerodynamic performance of aircraft and by facilitating the introduction of fuel-efficient engines such as Counter-Rotating Open Rotors (CROR).
ACASIAS improves the aerodynamics through conformal and structural integration of antennas into innovative aerostructures. Nowadays installed aircraft antennas are protruding structures, generating turbulence & aerodynamic drag, thus increasing fuel consumption. Currently available Ku-band satellite antennas still require exterior installation on the fuselage, which needs a protective radome, affecting aerodynamics, which may result in higher fuel consumption up to 4%. Hence, the conformal flush integration of a Ku-band SATCOM antenna will reduce the drag and the emission of CO2 & NOX. Furthermore, structurally integrated antennas reduce the risk of damaging protruding antennas, and therefore ACASIAS will also contribute to the reduction of maintenance costs and minimize operational delays.
CROR propulsion systems are a promising concept to reach a resource efficient transport, allowing up to 25% fuel saving, but the CROR engines have a main disadvantage: they produce annoying multi-harmonic noise leading to high sound pressure levels in the cabin. In ACASIAS a lining panel with an integrated Active Structural Acoustic Control (ASAC) system is developed with the aim to reduce these noise levels. The availability of this lining panel will facilitate the installation of CROR engines.
The multidisciplinary ACASIAS develops four innovative aircraft structures with multifunctional capabilities:
• Composite ortho-grid stiffened fuselage panel for integrating Ku-band SATCOM antenna tiles.
• Sandwich lining panel for reducing CROR engine cabin noise.
• Smart winglet with integrated Very High Frequency (VHF) communication antenna.
• Fibre Metal Laminate panel (FML) with integrated VHF communication antenna and integrated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna.
ACASIAS brings together 11 partners from 6 countries covering the three main disciplines required: composite structures, advanced antennas & miniaturised sensors in a multidisciplinary project.
