INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE AEROSPATIALA "ELIE CARAFOLI"- INCAS BUCURESTI

Their core work

INCAS is Romania's national aerospace research institute, specializing in aeronautics testing, simulation, and advanced materials for aircraft structures. They operate wind tunnels, structural testing facilities, and computational labs that support European aviation programs — from rotorcraft design to composite wing manufacturing. Their work spans the full aircraft development cycle: aerodynamic noise reduction, flight safety analysis, propulsion system evaluation, and manufacturing process innovation for next-generation airframe components. They also play a visible role in organizing European aeronautics research events and coordinating open science in aviation.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), INCAS focused on aviation safety research, engineering education quality, and aerodynamic noise — contributing specialist testing and analysis to large European consortia. From 2019 onward, they shifted decisively toward advanced manufacturing (composite tooling, thermoplastic parts, additive manufacturing) and future propulsion (hybrid electric, sustainable fuels for supersonic flight). This evolution reflects a move from observation-and-testing roles toward hands-on manufacturing R&D and next-generation propulsion systems, aligning with European clean aviation priorities.

INCAS is building capability at the intersection of advanced composite manufacturing and sustainable propulsion — expect them to seek partners in clean aviation, digital manufacturing, and hybrid electric aircraft projects.

How they like to work

INCAS predominantly operates as a consortium partner (11 of 14 projects), but has demonstrated coordination ability in 3 projects — notably in composite manufacturing (FITCoW, ELADINE) and event organization (TandemAEROdays). With 164 unique partners across 26 countries, they maintain a broad European network rather than clustering around a few repeat collaborators. This makes them an accessible partner: well-connected enough to add consortium credibility, experienced enough to coordinate when needed, and accustomed to working within large multi-national teams.

INCAS has collaborated with 164 distinct organizations across 26 countries, making them one of the best-connected aerospace research centres in Eastern Europe. Their network spans the major Western European aerospace hubs (likely France, Germany, Italy, UK) while anchoring Romania's presence in EU aviation research.

What sets them apart

INCAS is Romania's primary gateway into European aerospace R&D — there is no equivalent national institute competing for the same role. They combine testing infrastructure (wind tunnels, structural labs) with growing expertise in digital manufacturing and composite materials, which is rare for an Eastern European research centre. For consortium builders, they offer strong technical contribution at competitive Eastern European cost rates, plus credibility as a national research institute with coordinator experience.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FRC GAM 2018
  By far their largest project (EUR 3.1M) — fast rotorcraft research within Clean Sky, demonstrating INCAS can handle major funding and long-duration programs.
• FITCoW
  Coordinated by INCAS — full-scale composite wing-box tooling innovation, showing they can lead manufacturing technology projects, not just participate.
• MOREandLESS
  Positions INCAS in supersonic aviation sustainability — working on biofuels, liquid hydrogen, and sonic boom modelling, a forward-looking topic with commercial potential.