Large Passenger Aircraft Innovative Aircraft Demonstrator Platform

Project Information

GAM-2020-LPA

Grant agreement ID: 945583

DOI

10.3030/945583

Project closed

EC signature date 25 March 2020

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 30 April 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 235 320 930,00

EU contribution

€ 173 872 776,94

Coordinated by

AIRBUS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - GAM-2020-LPA (Large Passenger Aircraft Innovative Aircraft Demonstrator Platform)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The Large Passenger Aircraft (LPA) IADP is about large-scale demonstration of technologies integrated at aircraft level in three Platforms:

Platform 1 “Advanced Engine and Aircraft Configurations” objective is to provide the development environment for the integration of the most fuel efficient propulsion concepts into compatible airframe configurations and concepts targeting next generation aircraft. The propulsion concepts considered range from Open Rotor engine architectures over advanced Ultra-High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) turbofans up to “hybrid” propulsion concepts for different levels of electrification of the power plant.
All support the CS2 objectives to reduce CO2 Emissions, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) as well as contributing to the reduction of aircraft noise.

Platform 2 "Next Generation Fuselage, Cabin and Systems Integration” covered fuselage technologies for a typical single aisle commercial aircraft. The goal is to demonstrate an entirely new, advanced fuselage structural concept in alignment towards next-generation cabin-cargo architectures, including relevant aircraft systems with focus on industrial manufacturing including pre-installation and modularisation. The demonstrators are supported by cross-functional activities dealing with development of multifunctional technologies for elementary, automated structural testing and prediction tools for structural components under applied.
The technologies to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact also fulfil future market needs and improve the competitiveness of future products.

Platform 3 “Next Generation Aircraft Systems, Cockpit and Avionics” includes advanced systems maintenance activities. It targets, for Large, Regional and Business aircraft:
Safety enhancement through resilience to pilot skills evolution, error tolerant automation, improved situation awareness, human monitoring;
Robust operations, reduced operational costs thanks to easier flight crew tasks, reduced workload, with optimized allocation between human and system
European aeronautical industry competitiveness enhancement via evolutive cockpit design, Low cost and fast upgradability, “Shared resources Platform” concept, Applicative cockpit, reduced lead- time, design for security.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Platform 1:
Nacelle components were tested for the integration of the UltraFan® engine in future Long Range aircraft concepts. The UltraFan® engine was tested in Rolls-Royce Derby facilities reaching full power and using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
In the frame of Short-Medium Range (SMR) aircraft and UHPE integration activities, the consortium assembled the test rig for the more accurate aero-acoustic measurements ever planned in the world for large turbo fan engines.
The ground test campaign for active Vibration and Noise cancellation for bizjets was completed successfully and reached TRL6.
To relieve and balance the classical engine power offtake, the power sharing tests with Auxiliary Power Unit-ON for business jet and Long-range showed benefits.
For future SMR aircraft, nacelle components and power plant systems have been tested for Open Rotor engines, advancing towards TRL6.
Active Flow Control technologies demonstrated its efficiency to delay stall, increase aerodynamic performance, and optimize mass flow.
Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) technologies have been explored, confirming their interest for energy recovery and thrust power reduction.
The Cross Demonstrator Capabilities project developed advanced numerical and experimental methods for various propulsion systems.
Hybrid Laminar Flow Control (HLFC) on Horizontal Tail Plane (HTP) reached TRL6, enlarging knowledge on its specific manufacturing requirements.
TRL4 was reached for HLFC on Wing.
For the Natural Laminar Flow on HTP for bizjets, the activities highlighted key technical solutions on laminar assembly between the leading edge and the torsion box that could be utilized on a bizjet aircraft.
The Advanced Rear End demonstrator reached TRL6.
The Scaled Flight Test confirmed the value of such a test vehicle to assess new configurations while optimizing flight tests’ costs. The Distributive Electric Propulsion demonstrator (representing a SMR with six electrical propellers) was flight tested. The final results are expected to confirm the interest of scaled flight demonstrators.
Finally, technology bricks to support future hybrid-electric propulsion architectures have reached TRL4, in particular the 2MW Hybrid Electric Propulsion ground demonstrator.

Platform 2:
For the Multifunctional Fuselage demonstrator an 8m thermoplastic large scale innovation platform referring to a typical single aisle commercial aircraft showed a 10% weight reduction and neutral recurring costs. Fuel burn CO2 emissions could be reduced between 100 and 540kg for one typical single aisle flight depending on the chosen combination of technologies.
Customizable Pax Service Unit, Universal Cabin Interface and Energy Optimized Cabin achieved TRL4. Automated Cabin & Cargo Lining and Hatrack installation methods achieved TRL5. Environmentally Friendly Fire Protection, Platform concept and Printed Electrics achieved TRL6.
The New Center Fuselage demonstrator has been stopped at TRL2 maturity.
Innovative Materials Modelling Thermoplastic Composites reached TRL3, Metallics TRL4. Structural Health Monitoring/ Integrated Damage Detection and Fatigue Digital Twin reached TRL6.

Platform 3:
The DisCo demonstrator marks the first step towards a LPA with unprecedent levels of safety, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Beyond the confirmation of the expected benefits it will play a major role as a development platform in future avionics research and technology programs.
The Regional Aircraft Active Cockpit Demonstrator showed its efficiency in providing a pilot workload reduction of 25%.
The Enhanced Business Jet Cockpit confirmed significant potential benefits in terms of safety and competitiveness.
The demonstrator for Maintenance optimisation with digitalisation proved it is possible to move from a "paper secured" maintenance to a more secured, faster maintenance digital tool to support day-to-day or urgent unscheduled maintenance tasks. This reduces the delays in dispatching an aircraft, and optimises the scheduled maintenance.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The developed technologies to integrate most advanced power plants and aerodynamically more efficient wing technology by applying laminar technologies to short-medium and long range aircraft operating at high subsonic speed is well beyond state of the art.
With the Multifunctional Fuselage flagship demonstrator, global competitiveness of Europe has been strengthened, recurring cost reduction potential for various technologies demonstrated as well as production automation and ramp-up capabilities improved beyond the state of the art in order to further ensure technology leadership in the commercial aviation sector.
The disruptive cockpit is key to reduce crew workload, improve situational awareness and flight safety, and free up the pilot to focus more on tasks where human judgement, experience and piloting skills add better value.
Some LPA demonstrators are paving the way of future demonstrators prepared in the frame of CA such as ducted or unducted, hybrid-electric components.

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