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Our Year in Review 2024

1 minute read

We look back on a dynamic and challenging year. The research projects we undertook this past year highlight the critical role of research and innovation in shaping the future. From tackling complex questions to driving impactful solutions, we are proud of what we have achieved together with our partners in 2024.

While it is impossible to summarise every project, we take great pride in the progress we have made, particularly within our three strategic priorities: Sustainable aviation, Competitive aerospace, and a Safe and secure society.

To showcase the scope and significance of our work, we have selected a few research projects, presented in the video below.

Enjoy!

The people behind NLR’s ground-breaking innovations

Our talented professionals work tirelessly on new technology to develop cutting-edge solutions that respond to global challenges and align with modern market demands. In the series ‘NLR People’ we’ve showcased their roles and professional motivations throughout 2024, shining a light on the expertise and determination behind our achievements.

Read about their stories here.

Latest news

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13 November 2026

Benelux research institutes join forces to strengthen European space capabilities

VITO, NLR and LIST are joining forces in space research and innovation. The three research institutes signed a letter of intent in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, with the ambition to combine complementary capabilities to strengthen the Benelux contribution to the European space sector.

Defence and Security

10 November 2026

NLR and partners cooperate to develop technologies for unmanned aircraft

NLR and Elysian Aircraft lead a project to develop technologies for the next generation of unmanned aircraft. The consortium is joined by the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF), TNO, TU-Delft, the Netherlands Defence Academy and Fokker Services Group.

Defence and Security

15 October 2026

Skunk Works and Royal NLR expand strategic collaboration

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT) and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) announced a broadening of their strategic partnership today with a focus on four key pillars. These include connectivity to the Dutch industrial base, coordination on military operational analysis, alignment on technology roadmaps, and collaboration on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). What began two years ago as an exploratory Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has matured into a high-impact collaboration, rapidly transitioning advanced technologies from the research lab into operational solutions that directly support the mission readiness of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.