Sustainability and Environment

Air Traffic Management

30 June 2023

Simulation of integrated arrival and approach operations (ITARO)

As part of the SESAR3 JU project ITARO (Integrated TMA, Airport and Runway Operations), an integrated operational concept (IOC) to green flight operations whilst retaining a high capacity has been evaluated through Real-Time Simulations (RTS) on NARSIM, the NLR ATM Research Simulator. The demonstrations consisted of several SESAR solutions combined inside the TMA environment of […]
Construction and Manufacturing

26 June 2023

NLR and ECOMAT join forces in the field of innovative and sustainable aviation

During the Paris Air Show, the German ECOMAT and Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding. With this, the two parties want to combine their scientific and business expertise with regard to lightweight constructions, hydrogen developments, materials research and virtual product development in the aircraft manufacturing industry. The 54th International Paris Air Show […]
Taxi testing DEP SFD at Deelen air base
Flight Operations and Certification

11 May 2023

Setback for research project with electric scale model

During a ground test, a scaled, unmanned aircraft caught fire. Despite the disappointment, the project partners are determined to persevere. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined, but it serves as a reminder that extensive testing remains necessary. On Thursday evening, May 11, the DEP-SFD (Distributed Electric Propulsion Scaled Flight Demonstrator) caught […]
Construction and Manufacturing

11 April 2023

Innovative solutions from a new technology for sustainable aviation

Royal NLR is aiming to improve two things at the same time: saving weight for aviation structures and speeding up their production processes. NLR is therefore exploring a relatively new technology called large-scale additive manufacturing of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic materials. Sustainable aviation is a hot topic nowadays and it is being addressed with the main focus […]
Hybrid Electric Propulsion - HEP
Sustainability and Environment

14 February 2023

High-voltage distribution technologies for hybrid-electric aircraft

Flying electric is already possible for small aircraft. However, electric power levels need to increase drastically to be able to have large sized airplanes flying (hybrid) electric for regional use. Coordinated by Collins Aerospace the Clean Aviation HECATE project aims to demonstrate the possibilities by 2025. As the aviation industry works to achieve its goal […]
Circular Economy in Aviation
Sustainability and Environment

09 February 2023

Blog: The world is getting less circular. But what about aviation?

According to the Circularity Gap report, the world has become less circular than a year ago. This alarming fact comes as a surprise when compared to the rising interest in and popularity of the circular economy concept, not to mention the volume of research being done on this topic – also within the aviation sector. […]
NLR Fibre Placement Machine
Construction and Manufacturing

07 February 2023

One of the world’s largest thermoplastic aerostructures successfully completed

Advanced thermoplastic composite technology and smart robotics will significantly reduce weight and manufacturing cost of future aircraft. Now the Clean Sky 2 Thermoplastic Fuselage Demonstrator (MFFD) lower half has been delivered. At 8m by 4m it’s one of the largest known thermoplastic assemblies in the world. It allowed the project to investigate thermal and positioning […]
3D metal print - noise-reduction liner
Sustainability and Environment

20 January 2023

R&D case: Aircraft Noise Reduction Technologies and Related Environmental Impact (ARTEM)

The challenge In recent years, improving energy efficiency (i.e. fuel consumption) and emission reduction have led to increased engine sizes and bypass ratios. These modifications create a crucial noise issue due to the emission of low-frequency noise and the size and effectiveness limitations of the current noise-absorbing structures (liners). The solution This project explored innovative […]
Air Traffic Management

20 December 2022

Interval management for operational efficiency and reducing environmental footprint (ITARO)

As part of SESAR3 JU project ITARO, flight trials have been performed at Groningen Airport Eelde involving Royal NLR and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) research aircraft. In the flight trial, the Interval Management capability on fixed routes with continuous descent operation have been successfully demonstrated. At lower altitudes, the environmental footprint can be reduced […]