Platform System Design

Sustainability and Environment

27 January 2025

The need for disruptive aircraft concepts to address climate change

The EU project EXAELIA aims to accelerate the reduction of aviation emissions and its climate and environmental impacts. The project will evaluate novel flying test beds which are needed for de-risking the development of future long-range aircraft, thereby also helping the European industry to maintain its market position in aviation. The project’s official kick-off meeting was […]
Avy - Autonomous fixed-wing drone
Platform System Design

22 January 2025

Avy and NLR partner to drive drone innovation

NLR has partnered with Avy, a Dutch company that develops autonomous fixed-wing drones tailored for humanitarian, health, and environmental missions, with a focus on creating a sustainable impact. NLR has acquired an Avy drone for testing and evaluation, aiming to drive innovation in aerospace applications. This collaboration supports the development of sustainable and cutting-edge drone […]
Scalair taxi test Deelen
Platform System Design

06 January 2025

Booklet: Enabling safe and seamless drone operations

Drones are a key enabler for innovative solutions to tackle rapidly changing societal, economic and securitychallenges. NLR is the knowledge partner in this field for industry and government. We offer support in thedevelopment, implementation and societal acceptance of unmanned and autonomous aviation, taking intoaccount safety and minimal nuisance. We help with the realisation of safe, […]
Platform Technology

11 October 2024

Upgrade of the rotorcraft noise model (NORAH)

Current international guidance on aircraft noise modelling is limited to fixed-wing aircraft, thus not covering rotorcraft noise. In the NORAH2 project, rotorcraft noise modelling guidance was issued and implemented in a software prototype. The hemisphere-based approach of the NORAH2 project is suitable for modelling rotorcraft noise of helicopters, as well as noise created by future […]
Space Technology

24 September 2024

Booklet: Overview space capabilities

Royal NLR works closely with both industry and government on developing satellites, payloads and launchers systems and subsystems, such as thermal control systems, electronics and antennas. We also offer unique capabilities in the area of aerospace qualified lightweightcomposite structures and multi-metal additive manufacturing, and on the effective use of earth observation and satellite navigation data […]
Platform System Design

13 September 2024

Flight testing Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP-SFD)

After a first flight in May 2024 another 26 flights were flown at Aeroporti di Puglia in Grottaglie (Italy), with our scaled version of a large passenger aircraft with distributed electric propulsion. The dynamics of the aircraft was measured and two control algorithms using asymmetric thrust were tested. Part of the manoeuvres were flown with […]
Sustainability and Environment

03 May 2024

First flight with electric scale model

On the 2nd of May 2024, a scaled version of a large passenger aircraft with distributed electric propulsion undertook its maiden flight. Further testing will follow to qualify and measure its dynamic flying behaviour, aimed at understanding the advantages of this Distributed Electric Propulsion technology for large passenger aircraft. A reduction of 20% energy consumption […]
TRANSCEND - SMR-H2
Sustainability and Environment

11 March 2024

R&D case: Technology review clean energy for next-generation drivetrains (Transcend)

The Clean Sky 2 Coordination and Support Action TRANSCEND (Technology Review of Alternative and Novel Sources of Clean Energy with Next-generation Drivetrains) identifies what alternative energy sources for aviation and novel aircraft propulsion methods can help  mitigate climate change and achieve the environmental goals for 2050. Additionally, as we progress towards 2050 roadmaps and strategic recommendations […]
Platform System Design

26 January 2024

Demonstration of key capabilities BVLOS for drones (ADACORSA)

Discover our last milestone of the ADACORSA project with the demonstration of key capabilities for BVLOS logistics in this video. It showcases the integrated flight demonstrations carried out by the partners (Embraer, NLR, AnyWi, ESC Aerospace, ISEP) at the NLR Drone Centre in Marknesse for: These capabilities will add to the future deployment of logistics […]