MICHAEL PHELAN / LONDON
Wide-ranging programme will focus on cutting fuel consumption while reducing noise and aircraft wake
Airbus is aiming for significant drag reduction and acoustic improvements on wings for its future transport aircraft through participation in a European Union (EU)-funded technology effort.
The €80 million ($79 million) Aircraft Wing with Advanced Technology Operation (AWIATOR) programme will focus on reductions in drag, noise and aircraft wake, and improved fuel consumption. It brings together 23 European manufacturers, universities and research institutes, including EADS, GKN Aerospace, Israel Aircraft Industries and Sonaca; aerospace research institutes Cerfas and ONERA of France, DLR in Germany, INASCO in Greece and NLR in the Netherlands; and universities in Athens, Lausanne, Lisbon and Marseilles.
Programme targets include a 5-7% drag reduction, a 2% cut in fuel consumption over long-range routes, noise reduction of 2EPNdB and wake vortex strength reduction, which will allow a possible 1nm (2km) decrease in separation distance behind large aircraft.
The four-year study will encompass changes to airbrake design, studies of very large wingtip devices and new flight control laws. In addition, Airbus says it will investigate flow-control devices and "adaptive elements" on the flaps, as well as noise reduction technology.
The proposed changes will be tested on Airbus's original A340-300 (MSN001), retained as a flight-test aircraft, during 100h of scheduled tests next year and in 2005.
AWIATOR, which is 50% funded by the EU as part of the Fifth Framework effort, will contribute to the more ambitious European Aeronautics: Vision for 2020 programme, which aims to achieve a 50% reduction in fuel consumption and aircraft noise by 2020.
Source: Flight International
