Next generation digital aircraft transformation in design, manufacturing, integration and maintenance

Topic description

ExpectedOutcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

• Deliver transformative digital technologies that will allow flawless entry into service of future European aircrafts (including engines, structures and systems) of all platforms. The outcomes should be in-line with technologies for future climate-neutral aircraft configurations and their integration. Multi-disciplinary model-based digital twins that cover the complete aircraft lifecycle, scaled-prototypes, representative rigs and unique research infrastructures fall within the expected outcomes.
• Advance further technologies that will enable flexible integration of simulation ecosystems in an extended enterprise context and allow multi-disciplinary design, optimisation and uncertainty quantification at realistic time-scales for commercial aviation.
• Deliver new technologies and methodologies for model-based validation and certification, measurement and prediction of hardware and software reliability and impact on flight safety for commercial aviation, new standards and alternative methods of compliance. Ensure compatibility between EASA-FAA working groups on standards (e.g. APR 4754/ED-79, ARP 4761, DO 178/ED-12 and DO-254/ED-80).
• Reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas impact of aircraft materials (including rare earth elements) and explore the fastest path towards their economical substitution. Advance further recovery and recycling methods in order to extend the useful life of materials, reduce the carbon footprint and produce new high-quality parts for new applications. Enable a clear path towards a fully circular aircraft.
• Deliver transformative digital and eco-efficient manufacturing technologies, advance further composite manufacturing, maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) and health assessment processes and procedures (including Health & Usage Monitoring Units) that will allow flawless entry into service and continuous airworthiness of European aircrafts of all platforms. Optimised manufacturing and MRO processes and tools, as well as on-board and on-site sensors and communication platforms are within the expected outcomes.

This topic is about a real digital transformation with a holistic and circular approach for the aviation ecosystem.

This topic aims to accelerate the design and manufacturing processes (including additive manufacturing) as well as allow flawless entry into service of new aircrafts and systems. The topic is in-line with the European new industrial policy and will bring even closer together the European supply chain (including innovative SMEs and start-ups). This topic may cover all aspects of digital aircraft, from design and manufacturing to operations and recycling. Digital-physical scaled demonstrator aircrafts for education, research and development are within the scope of this topic. Digital factory for all tiers and integrators and for all aircraft platform, from components to final assembly line (FAL) are also within the scope of this topic. As software becomes a vital part of the aircraft, new digital methods, tools and certification processes are of outmost importance. Synergies with the European High Performance Computing platform and European Digital Twin initiatives should be exploited.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 2-4 by the end of the project. However, exceptionally for this topic, activities may arrive up to TRL 6 in well-justified cases, in coordination with the forthcoming European Partnership on Clean Aviation and Integrated Air-Traffic Management Work Programmes.