Periodic Reporting for period 4 - GAM-2020-REG (REGIONAL AIRCRAFT 2020-2023)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-04-30
The CS2 REG objective was to bring the integration of technologies for Regional Aircraft to a further level of complexity respect to CS GRA the achievements. Technologies for regional aircraft were further developed and validated through demonstrations to de-risk their integration on future regional aircrafts:
•LDO Conventional Turboprop and Innovative Aircraft Configurations
•Airbus D&S Multimission Aircraft.
Main high-level project’s objectives were:
•Definition and delivery of ASMs to TE with reference to the investigated Aircraft configurations
•Design, manufacturing, assembling, testing of sub-components
•Design, manufacturing, assembling of demonstrators
•Qualification of items for ground tests and safety of flight
•Integration of innovative components and systems into the demonstrators
•Ground and flight demonstrations
•Assessment of the ground and flight test results
•Delivery of inputs to ECO TA for LCA evaluations
Results obtained from flying, ground, wind tunnel demonstrations, configuration studies allowed REG IADP Beneficiaries to perform a sizeable dissemination and communication performance giving visibility of results. Exploitable results coming from the technologies developed represent an opportunity for involved actors to continue collaboration in the future.
•LDO Conventional Turboprop and Innovative Aircraft Configurations
•Airbus D&S Multimission Aircraft.
Main high-level project’s objectives were:
•Definition and delivery of ASMs to TE with reference to the investigated Aircraft configurations
•Design, manufacturing, assembling, testing of sub-components
•Design, manufacturing, assembling of demonstrators
•Qualification of items for ground tests and safety of flight
•Integration of innovative components and systems into the demonstrators
•Ground and flight demonstrations
•Assessment of the ground and flight test results
•Delivery of inputs to ECO TA for LCA evaluations
Results obtained from flying, ground, wind tunnel demonstrations, configuration studies allowed REG IADP Beneficiaries to perform a sizeable dissemination and communication performance giving visibility of results. Exploitable results coming from the technologies developed represent an opportunity for involved actors to continue collaboration in the future.
•Configuration studies in Regional Aircraft IADP focused on conceptual aircraft with propeller tail mounted solution and hybrid-electrical aircraft solution. The green conceptual aircraft obtained a 25% reduction in block fuel. The best hybrid-electrical aircraft configuration obtained a reduction of 23% of total fuel. Results will be exploited within Clean Aviation and Hybrid-Electric configuration study will contribute to short term (2030) CO2 emission target and will provide a baseline towards long-term (2050) net-zero CO2 emissions.
•Analysis of the acquisition and operating costs for three 50 pax hybrid concepts (short, medium. long range).
•Flying Test Bed 2 wing structural modification of demo aircraft and manufacturing of central wing box ground demonstrator in 2020; achievement of the Permit to Fly in Dec. 2021; flight demonstration in 2022. All the flight points covered and TRL 6 achieved. The technologies tests come from AIRFRAME, SYSTEMS, REGIONAL platforms including morphing winglets, multi-functional flaps, affordable flight control system, integrated Satcom antenna. The crews feedback of the aircraft behavior was positive and performances confirmed the previous research done during CS2.
•Ground actuation rig activities in Step 2 (Electromechanical Actuation and High Voltage Direct Current; Liquid Resin Infusion and Thermoplastic).
•Flying Test Bed 1 demonstration CDR in 2020; ground structural/functional tests of morphing winglet (MWL) and innovative wingtip (IWT) in 2021; experimental modifications and Ground Resonance Test for the IWT and MWL in 2022; aircraft painting, Permit to Fly and flying demonstration in 2023 (Basic Wing Tip) and 2024 (IWT). Tested and demonstrated in real environmental and operating conditions the capability to carriage in flight the LC&A System operating IWT and the active functionality of its electro-mechanical actuation and sensing systems. The crews feedback of the aircraft behavior was positive. Technologies validated will be robust enablers for the future regional aircraft products: results will be exploited in Clean Aviation.
•Wind tunnel tests (WTT) demonstrations in 2021 and results assessment in 2022 for Large low speed, Large high-speed, Load Control & Alleviation-Aeroservoelastic models. Innovative Propeller and Ice WTT for de-icing technology demonstration in 2022. Demonstrations contributed to maturation and validation of concepts for a new generation Wing for Regional TurboProp Aircraft, demonstrating innovative concepts in relevant environment. All the test campaigns provided interesting data to be exploited in Clean Aviation.
•Fuselage panels manufacturing up to 2022; Pax Cabin demonstrator assembling in 2023, Vibroacoustic test in 2023, comfort test in 2024. Fuselage structural demonstrator assembling completion and test in 2024. Demonstrations contributed to validate structural and system technologies at full scale level. 94.5% of the test subjects involved in comfort tests stated that they would choose this type of aircraft again. Both Fuselage Demonstrators will offer the solid ground to the next steps in the fuselage design to further improve performances of such key aircraft component.
•Outer Wing Box demonstrator tools and components manufacturing in 2020-2022; assembly cell delivered in 2022 and mid-scale Site Acceptance Test completion; reconfiguration of assembling cell for full scale demonstrator, components radar laser scanning, reverse engineering and assembling in 2023. Static bending test in 2024. Demonstrations successfully validated the eco-compatible materials and processes and the shim-less assembly methodology. Processes results will be exploited in Clean Aviation and can find applications in the main aircraft primary structure components manufacturing and assembling in future programs.
•Iron bird skeleton and several test benches manufactured from 2020; components delivered up to 2022; systems integration solving issue and test in 2023-2024. Demonstrations contributed to maturation and validation of technologies integrated in the electrical lending gear and in the innovative wing tip and winglet allowing the achievement of the IWT Permit-to-Fly. The modular and flexible architecture, makes the Iron Bird adaptable for other civil regional aircraft programs.
•Analysis of the acquisition and operating costs for three 50 pax hybrid concepts (short, medium. long range).
•Flying Test Bed 2 wing structural modification of demo aircraft and manufacturing of central wing box ground demonstrator in 2020; achievement of the Permit to Fly in Dec. 2021; flight demonstration in 2022. All the flight points covered and TRL 6 achieved. The technologies tests come from AIRFRAME, SYSTEMS, REGIONAL platforms including morphing winglets, multi-functional flaps, affordable flight control system, integrated Satcom antenna. The crews feedback of the aircraft behavior was positive and performances confirmed the previous research done during CS2.
•Ground actuation rig activities in Step 2 (Electromechanical Actuation and High Voltage Direct Current; Liquid Resin Infusion and Thermoplastic).
•Flying Test Bed 1 demonstration CDR in 2020; ground structural/functional tests of morphing winglet (MWL) and innovative wingtip (IWT) in 2021; experimental modifications and Ground Resonance Test for the IWT and MWL in 2022; aircraft painting, Permit to Fly and flying demonstration in 2023 (Basic Wing Tip) and 2024 (IWT). Tested and demonstrated in real environmental and operating conditions the capability to carriage in flight the LC&A System operating IWT and the active functionality of its electro-mechanical actuation and sensing systems. The crews feedback of the aircraft behavior was positive. Technologies validated will be robust enablers for the future regional aircraft products: results will be exploited in Clean Aviation.
•Wind tunnel tests (WTT) demonstrations in 2021 and results assessment in 2022 for Large low speed, Large high-speed, Load Control & Alleviation-Aeroservoelastic models. Innovative Propeller and Ice WTT for de-icing technology demonstration in 2022. Demonstrations contributed to maturation and validation of concepts for a new generation Wing for Regional TurboProp Aircraft, demonstrating innovative concepts in relevant environment. All the test campaigns provided interesting data to be exploited in Clean Aviation.
•Fuselage panels manufacturing up to 2022; Pax Cabin demonstrator assembling in 2023, Vibroacoustic test in 2023, comfort test in 2024. Fuselage structural demonstrator assembling completion and test in 2024. Demonstrations contributed to validate structural and system technologies at full scale level. 94.5% of the test subjects involved in comfort tests stated that they would choose this type of aircraft again. Both Fuselage Demonstrators will offer the solid ground to the next steps in the fuselage design to further improve performances of such key aircraft component.
•Outer Wing Box demonstrator tools and components manufacturing in 2020-2022; assembly cell delivered in 2022 and mid-scale Site Acceptance Test completion; reconfiguration of assembling cell for full scale demonstrator, components radar laser scanning, reverse engineering and assembling in 2023. Static bending test in 2024. Demonstrations successfully validated the eco-compatible materials and processes and the shim-less assembly methodology. Processes results will be exploited in Clean Aviation and can find applications in the main aircraft primary structure components manufacturing and assembling in future programs.
•Iron bird skeleton and several test benches manufactured from 2020; components delivered up to 2022; systems integration solving issue and test in 2023-2024. Demonstrations contributed to maturation and validation of technologies integrated in the electrical lending gear and in the innovative wing tip and winglet allowing the achievement of the IWT Permit-to-Fly. The modular and flexible architecture, makes the Iron Bird adaptable for other civil regional aircraft programs.
In commercial aviation, the regional aircraft market continues to be a key growth sector of the airline industry and contributes to efficient air transport system, ensuring safe and seamless mobility, creating new jobs and respecting the environment towards a European carbon neutrality deal.
The integration of innovative technologies in future regional aircrafts is a key success factor for manufacturers as it increases the appeal and customer benefits by providing a better inflight experience for passengers.
Completion of design loops activities substantiated that High Level Objectives for the REG green conceptual aircraft can be achieved in terms of pollution and noise reduction:
•Advanced TP, 90 pax (targets are wrt. ATR 72, in-service during 2014, scaled to 90 Pax)
CO2 reduction: 35 / 40%, NOx reduction: >50%, Noise reduction: 60/70%
•Innovative TP, 130 pax (targets wrt. Regional Jet in-service in 2014)
CO2 reduction: 19 / 25%, NOx reduction: 19/25%, Noise reduction: 20/30%
•Multimission TP, 70 pax (targets are wrt. 2014 Airbus DS Multi-mission aircraft
CO2 reduction: 20 / 30%, NOx reduction: 20 / 30%, Noise reduction: 20/30%
The FTB2 flight test campaign provided very valuable data to feed the aircraft models of the future regional multi-mission aircraft showing compliance with the environmental goals of CS2 in this type of platform. In Step2, Flight Control and Wing loads control systems wing box ground demonstrator, covered the activities at equipment and system design levelassessing system functionality and performances.
The FTB1 flight test campaign validated electro-mechanical actuators technologies capable to morph the aerodynamic movable wing surfaces, saving weight, energy and improving the life cycle of systems, with interesting perspectives in terms of monitoring and prognostics in the next regional aircraft.
The integration of innovative technologies in future regional aircrafts is a key success factor for manufacturers as it increases the appeal and customer benefits by providing a better inflight experience for passengers.
Completion of design loops activities substantiated that High Level Objectives for the REG green conceptual aircraft can be achieved in terms of pollution and noise reduction:
•Advanced TP, 90 pax (targets are wrt. ATR 72, in-service during 2014, scaled to 90 Pax)
CO2 reduction: 35 / 40%, NOx reduction: >50%, Noise reduction: 60/70%
•Innovative TP, 130 pax (targets wrt. Regional Jet in-service in 2014)
CO2 reduction: 19 / 25%, NOx reduction: 19/25%, Noise reduction: 20/30%
•Multimission TP, 70 pax (targets are wrt. 2014 Airbus DS Multi-mission aircraft
CO2 reduction: 20 / 30%, NOx reduction: 20 / 30%, Noise reduction: 20/30%
The FTB2 flight test campaign provided very valuable data to feed the aircraft models of the future regional multi-mission aircraft showing compliance with the environmental goals of CS2 in this type of platform. In Step2, Flight Control and Wing loads control systems wing box ground demonstrator, covered the activities at equipment and system design levelassessing system functionality and performances.
The FTB1 flight test campaign validated electro-mechanical actuators technologies capable to morph the aerodynamic movable wing surfaces, saving weight, energy and improving the life cycle of systems, with interesting perspectives in terms of monitoring and prognostics in the next regional aircraft.