Project description
New aircraft windshields for unrivalled safety
Aircraft windshields and windows are at the forefront of aviation safety, but they face numerous challenges. In response, the EU-funded Wimper project seeks to address these critical issues. With a primary objective of developing a prototype for next-generation windshields and windows, the project focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technologies and coatings. The consortium, comprising three prominent partners from the aeronautic industry, brings together a wealth of expertise in terms of manufacturing, structural design and testing, as well as coating solutions. The overall aim is to enhance bird-strike resistance, anti-icing capabilities, anti-fogging properties, and infrared performance, setting the stage for a transformative breakthrough in aviation safety and performance. The project will develop a prototype that surpasses existing standards.
Objective
Objective of this project is the development upto the production of a prototype of a new pilot windshield and other windows with the focus on using state of the art technologies and coatings. This includes the complex interface between the airframe and the windshields. Especially, the capabilities versus improved bird-strike, anti-icing, anti-fogging and IR performance are taken into consideration.
The consortium consists of 3 partners, all centred in the aeronautic industry with the expertise to develop and manufacture structural lightweight designs. Everyone is an expert on its main field. KRD Sicherheitstechnik GmbH (KRD) is a leading manufacturer of windshields and windows, so far mainly for ground transports (e.g. forestry harvesters, vessels, sport cars) but has contributed with prototypes for helicopter applications as well. Within their product portfolio you can find coated laminated car windshields with heating systems, usable for aeronautic applications for de-icing or de-fogging, too. The coating development for these applications as well as for scratch resistance is done at KRD premises.
The Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Structures and Design has the excellence in the design of structural parts as well as the ability to perform simulations and tests to optimize the engineered parts concerning the structural behaviour, particularly under crash and impact loading. The institute will assist in the definition of testing methods and will perform testing sequences and bird-strike tests to evaluate the solutions. The DLR has developed a dummy bird, which will be evaluated during this project compared to real bird.
The University of Stuttgart, Institut für Flugzeugbau (USTUTT) is the third partner and specialized in the production and development of structural fibre reinforced parts and their testing against specifications and life cycle analysis. The USTUTT has capacities and expertise in finding accurate coating solutions.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringthermodynamic engineering
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftrotorcraft
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestry
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
CS2-IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
21502 GEESTHACHT
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.