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Booklet: R&D solutions for Air Traffic Management

The challenge for civil aviation operators is to achieve competitive and sustainable aviation. The growing demand to increase efficiency, sustainability, safety and security, enhance resilience and reduce costs requires innovative solutions.

That is why Royal NLR focuses its innovative R&D and solutions within the Air Traffic Management (ATM) domain on delivering sustainability, efficiency, safety & human performance improvements and on tools that put stakeholders in command of their current and future performance.

NLR has been an ambitious, knowledge-based organisation for more than a hundred years now. We continue to translate trends and developments into actual solutions for aviation companies, air traffic control, airports, regulatory bodies and governmental authorities. Our in-house applied research and unique research facilities ensure that NLR stays on top of new developments and innovations.

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Construction and Manufacturing

18 September 2026

Booklet: Composites Research and Development

A key objective for more efficient and sustainable aircraft is to make lightweight, durable and affordable parts which are designed for ease of maintenance. To be allowed to use parts made of new materials like composite and metal additive printed components in an industry like aviation, all of the materials must be accompanied by the right certification. NLR takes care of the entire process, from calculation and design all the way through to manufacturing, repair and certification. NLR assesses material properties, develops structural concepts and manufacturing technologies, designs components and builds parts up to the level of full scale prototypes. Spanning the entire spectrum of product development is what makes NLR unique.

Sustainability and Environment

18 September 2026

Booklet: R&D More electric and hydrogen-electric powered aerospace

Hydrogen as a fuel is considered to be an important route towards future sustainable aviation. For aviation
applications, hydrogen presents several key advantages: it allows for the elimination of carbon emissions in
flight and along the entire life cycle. Its usage in fuel cells allows eliminating NOx and particles. When burnt
in a turbine engine, very low particle emissions can be expected, as well as reduced NOx emissions, provided that the combustion system is optimised. However, water vapour emissions need to be carefully managed.

Space Technology

18 September 2026

Booklet: Overview space capabilities

Royal NLR works closely with industry and government to design satellites, payloads and launchers systems, as well as subsystems, such as thermal control systems, electronics and antennas. We also invest in state-of-the-art facilities to accelerate our research and develop new space capabilities by leveraging our expertise in aerospace-qualified lightweight composite structures, multi-metal additive manufacturing, and the effective use of Earth observation and satellite navigation data for both civil and military applications.