Safer, cleaner and lighter: DLR demonstrates developments for the aviation of tomorrow at ILA 2012

Artificial bird for bird strike test

Negative swept angle in wings 

Morphing Leading Edge

Microscopic holes in the outer skin of an aircraft, wings with elastically deforming leading edges and steep approach flights - these are just some of the innovations from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) for the future of aviation, offering greater comfort and safety while simultaneously consuming less fuel and generating less noise. At the ILA Berlin Air Show 2012, from 11 to 16 September, DLR is presenting a total of 18 spectacular developments in modern aviation research, along with three aircraft and two helicopters from the largest civilian research fleet in Europe. A Quadrocopter-Parcours will tempt visitors to have a go at flying themselves.

Eco-efficient flight
An aircraft as elegant as a bird of prey, with wings extended forwards in the air: DLR has been researching this wing configuration in the LamAIR (Laminar Aircraft Research) project, which will lead to a significant reduction in air resistance and thus fuel consumption. In addition, under the same project, the researchers have developed a vertical stabiliser with a microperforated outer skin, within which a pump system sits. Turbulence is siphoned through these microscopic holes, creating uniform fuselage flow.

Lower flow resistance is also the goal in the development of the droop nose, a seamless, flexible wing leading edge that can be seen as a moving original part at the DLR stand (Hall 4, Stand 4301). DLR is also demonstrating the optimum combustion of alternative fuels for aviation based on gas (GtL, Gas to Liquid) and biomass (BtL, Biomass to Liquid), with two flames for comparison. DLR researchers are presenting compressor blades with flow-optimised edges for an engine that is more economical with regard to fuel consumption.

Another development towards aircraft with lower emissions is lightweight construction. DLR is working on stiffened panels made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFP) that are used in load tests for the material. Another exhibit demonstrates the thermography developed by DLR as a new method for testing CFP materials in an automated manufacturing process.

Flight technology for greater comfort and safety
In the Multiple Swashplate System (META), DLR researchers have developed a new technology for controlling rotor blades individually. This limits rotor noise and vibration. DLR is presenting a fully mobile, functioning META demonstrator at ILA. In addition, a new cooling system for aircraft (Cooling Center) that is positioned centrally in the tail section is being demonstrated.

The newly-developed DLR propeller brake disk can get very hot. It is made of fibre-ceramics that can withstand high thermal loads. Aircraft propellers can be stopped more quickly after landing using this technology. This limits loading and unloading times. The search for the right material is also important in the development of an artificial bird. Tail sections, wing leading edges and engines have to withstand the risk of bird strike. The DLR artificial bird will be used in tests and the approval process of new aircraft components in the future.


Unmanned disaster relief
For the first time, DLR is demonstrating the small unmanned superARTIS research helicopter, used to develop demanding automated flight missions. superARTIS stands out because of its high payload capacity, range and flight speed.

DLR is also displaying images of a disaster operation in Cyprus, where DLR scientists investigated a heavily damaged power station using an unmanned octocopter and quadrocopter. A DLR_School_Labs Quadrocopter-Parcours invites visitors to the booth to have a go at controlling the unmanned aircraft themselves.


Air traffic efficiency
DLR researchers want to achieve greater environmental sustainability and less noise from air traffic using optimised flight paths. Modern satellite navigation systems will make future flight paths more flexible. An animation demonstrates potential, steeper, more oblique approach flights. Also based on satellite data is a new system for short-term weather forecasting for air traffic. The process developed at DLR can detect weather cells in real time every five minutes and make predictions of up to an hour.

Flawless air traffic control requires personnel with the right nerves - visitors can have a go at a few aerospace psychology selection tests at the DLR booth. Anyone fancy being a pilot or flight controller? In addition, a simplified version of the indoor navigation system used at airports - using a smartphone app and QR code - is being demonstrated, as is a software package that calculates the connection of an airport to the international air traffic network in real time.

DLR research fleet at the new ILA site

Part of the DLR research fleet will also be on display at ILA 2012. Five examples from the largest European fleet of civilian research aircraft and helicopters are set to impress visitors at the open-air grounds of the new exhibition area: the Antares DLR-H2 hydrogen power glider, the Falcon 20E, the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan 'flying auditorium' and the lightweight BO-105 multipurpose helicopter and EC-135 FHS flying helicopter simulator.

A particular highlight will be a visit by the A300 ZERO-G parabolic flight aircraft. A parabolic flight uses steep flight manoeuvres to achieve around 22 seconds of virtual weightlessness for experiments in weightlessness research.

The International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) is being hosted at the DLR booth in Hall 4. The Forum was founded in 2010 by initiative of DLR and, with 21 institutions involved at present, is the only network for aviation research organisations in the world.

All the exhibits with photographs and background information can be found on the DLR website dedicated to the ILA Berlin Air Show 2012.


Press Release: http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10081/151_read-4928/