FLEXOP
Sponsor
Project data
Department in charge
A closer coupling of wing aeroelasticity and flight control systems in the design process opens new opportunities to explore previously unviable designs. Common methods and tools across the disciplines also provide a way to rapidly adapt existing designs into derivative aircraft, at a reduced technological risk (e.g. using control to solve a flutter problem discovered during development). Flutter Free FLight Envelope eXpansion for ecOnomical Performance improvement (FLEXOP) thus opens a complete new dimension for derivative aircraft design. In order to validate the different methods and tools developed in this project, a flight test campaign is planned, in which the design and manufacturing of stiff wings (-0), very flexible wings (-1) with active flutter control, as well as tailored wings (-2) for passive loads alleviation will be verified. At the end of FLEXOP the concept for cost efficient wing stretch will be demonstrated in a scale-up task. The resulting derivative aircraft will have an extended wingspan by retrofit on the wings, tailoring modifications in the wing structure, flutter mode control, as well as increased payload. For further information about this project see. One can read about the recent results of the project here.
Participants
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Airbus Defence And Space Gmbh | Willy-Messerschmitt Strasse, Ottobrunn, 85521, Germany |
| Airbusgroup Limited UK | Wellington House, 125 Strand, London WC2R OAP, United Kingdom | |
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Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft - Und Raumfahrt Ev | Linder Hoehe, KOELN, 51147, Germany |
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University Of Bristol | Tyndall Avenue Senate House, Bristol, Bs8 1th, United Kingdom |
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Technical University Of Munich | Arcisstrasse 21, Muenchen, 80333, Germany |
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Technical University Of Delft | Stevinweg 1, Delft, 2628 Cn, Netherlands |
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Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen | Templergraben 55, 52056 Aachen, Germany |
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FACC Operations Gmbh | Fischerstrasse, Ried Im Innkreis, 4910, Austria |
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Inasco – Integrated Aerospace Sciences Corporation Ee | Napoleontos Zerva Road 18, Glyfada Athina, 16675, Greece |
Project goals
The FLEXOP project is developing groundbreaking multidisciplinary aircraft design capabilities for Europe that will increase competitiveness with emerging markets, particularly in terms of aircraft development costs.
Project results
- Common toolchain across the disciplines to provide a way to rapidly adapt existing designs into derivative aircraft
- 50% reduction of development and certification costs for next generation airliners;
- Integration of shape and loads monitoring in wing structure for sustainability and performance;
- 7% fuel efficiency improvement or 20% increased payload.
