Imagine building a plane wing that is much lighter and sleeker, like switching from a heavy wooden door to a high-tech carbon fiber one. This project creates a new wing design specifically for hybrid-electric planes that carry up to 100 people. It uses smart materials and 3D-like printing techniques to cut fuel use and weight significantly.
Regional aircraft are currently too heavy and fuel-inefficient to transition effectively to hybrid-electric propulsion. Existing wing designs cannot support the weight and integration requirements of new electric systems without sacrificing range and payload.
A Lower Skin Demonstrator manufactured via in-situ consolidation and a detailed design for a center wing section of a hybrid-electric aircraft.
If you are an OEM dealing with high fuel costs and carbon taxes — this project developed a wing design that demonstrates a minimum fuel reduction of 15%. This allows for the creation of regional aircraft with a range of 500 to 1000nm.
If you are a supplier dealing with slow, expensive autoclave curing processes — this project developed in-situ consolidation and thermoplastic welding. This enables a structural weight reduction of at least 20% compared to 2022 standards.
If you are an MRO provider dealing with unpredictable structural fatigue — this project developed improved Structural Health Monitoring (SHMS). This allows for more precise tracking of wing integrity and increased design allowables.
Based on available project data, the project targets a minimum fuel reduction of 15% attributable to wing improvements, which directly lowers operational fuel costs.
The project aims to mature key technologies up to TRL5 and provides a roadmap for full-scale demonstration at TRL 6 by 2030.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not listed, but the project is coordinated by Airbus Defence and Space SA with a large industrial consortium.
The project includes a specific objective to propose a qualification and certification plan suitable for Hybrid-Electric Regional aircraft.
The project roadmap targets a first flight not later than 2030.
The project is heavily industry-driven, with 20 industrial partners representing 61% of the 33-member consortium. Led by Airbus Defence and Space SA, the group spans 10 countries, combining the scale of major aerospace enterprises with the specialized research of 10 research centers and 3 universities, ensuring a direct path from lab to factory.
Contact Airbus Defence and Space SA regarding HERWINGT TRL5 outcomes
Contact SciTransfer for a detailed analysis of the thermoplastic welding and in-situ consolidation results.
