Author name: Wendy Duivestein

Maintenance and Repair

16 June 2025

Joint development by NLR and PhotonFirst for real-time condition monitoring of helicopters

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and PhotonFirst jointly announce the development of an innovative SHUMS solution (Structural Health and Usage Monitoring System) for helicopters. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development of advanced monitoring technologies for the aerospace sector with real-time monitoring of structural loads and fatigue during flight.

Construction and Manufacturing

06 June 2025

R&D case: Laser ultrasonic inspection of complex-shaped composites

The manufacturing of complex-shaped composites is becoming increasingly common, driving up demand for fast automated quality control. Laser ultrasonic testing can be a viable technique to achieve this, as it is fast and contactless. However, it requires the inspected part to be perpendicular to the laser beam, posing a challenge for the positioning of the laser or part. Combining laser ultrasonics with optical 3D scanning can overcome this challenge and realise a fast automated quality assurance system for composite manufacturing.

Construction and Manufacturing

29 April 2025

R&D case: FLAPsense


FLAPsense project: optical sensor system for real- time proprotor FLAPping angle monitoring

NLR Marknesse - June 2018
NLR corporate

17 April 2025

Royal NLR appoints new Board

As of June 1, 2025, NLR will have a new collegiate board. The top structure will be expanded to a three-headed board, consisting of a CEO, a CFO, and a CTO. With the appointment of Tineke van der Veen, Jan Lintsen, and Martin Nagelsmit, the organisation will lay a robust foundation to strengthen and further develop its international knowledge position in the aerospace sector.

Construction and Manufacturing

20 March 2025

R&D case: Enabling temperature control for large scale additive manufacturing

One of the main challenges of Large Scale 3D printing of high temperature thermoplastics is the control of the interface temperature – which determines the degree of bonding between consecutive layers. When the deposited material has cooled down in excess, poor adhesion is achieved between layers, leading to insufficient strength, delamination, cracking and part failure. If the material has not cooled down sufficiently, it won’t support the consecutive layers, therefore leading to print failure. The interface temperature control is especially important when attempting large scale prints and when processing semicrystalline thermoplastics.

12 March 2025

Research aircraft: Pipistrel Velis Electro

NLR's research aircraft are essential for testing new flight procedures and technologies. NLR operates two research aircraft: the Cessna Citation II and the electric Pipistrel Velis Electro.

12 March 2025

Research aircraft: Cessna Citation II

NLR's research aircraft are essential for testing new flight procedures and technologies. NLR operates two research aircraft: the Cessna Citation II and the electric Pipistrel Velis Electro.

Nicetrip wind tunnel model

12 March 2025

Advanced Mechanical Manufacturing Facility

Our Advanced Mechanical Manufacturing Facility specialises in high-tech, high-spec lightweight structural concepts for wind tunnel models in metal, laminates, and composites. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including product design, topology optimisation, production concept assessment, and manufacturing of prototype structures, smart wind tunnel models, and small production runs. By utilising 3D printing technology (metal additive manufacturing), we can enhance product performance thanks to the freedom of design and the ability to create complex internal structures that minimise weight while maximising performance with advanced materials.