Geman Aerospace Center (DLR)

Institute of Aeroelasticity

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Technical articles

September 10, 2025

One Mach number, two flow states: Hysteresis and flutter in vortex flows

Unlike civil aviation, where aircraft fly relatively steadily and generate lift at low angles of attack, military aircraft are often required to perform extreme manoeuvres. These manoeuvres can push the wings to very high angles of attack, where the flow around the wings is close to stalling. In this regime, the airflow can separate from the wing, leading to a sudden loss of lift—and potentially the loss of the aircraft.

September 22, 2025

New aircraft configuration D2AE - from the Institute of Aeroelasticity

Aeroelastic properties are expected to become increasingly important for future aircraft configurations. A number of examples clearly show this obvious trend: The increasing use of lightweight structures, e.g. using carbon fibre materials, and the application of special structural design methods, such as structural optimisation, are expected to result in more elastic load-bearing structures. In addition, the development of technologies for comprehensive load reduction and flutter suppression will contribute to this. The trend towards increasing wing aspect ratio to improve aerodynamic properties also plays an important role.

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Departments of the Institute

Department Aeroelastic Experiments

The department “Aeroelastic Experiments” is committed to the planning, realization and analysis of challenging experiments in wind tunnels.

Department Aeroelastic Simulation

The Aeroelastic Simulation Department focuses on the numerical analysis of aeroelastic problems. Investigations for transport aircraft, small aircraft, turbomachines and rotorcraft are performed in close cooperation with the experimental activities of the institute.

Department Loads Analysis and Design

The Loads Analysis and Aeroelastic Design Department is concerned with questions that arise in the context of aircraft design with regard to aeroelastic properties or aeroelastic requirements. In addition, the Department deals with the subject of aircraft loads ‘in general’ (for example, for design tasks) and in-depth consideration of dynamic loads (among others, those due to gusts).

Department Structural Dynamics and System Identification

The Department of Structural Dynamics and System Identification deals with the dynamics and vibrations of structures in aeronautics and space travel. Through numerical analyzes and experimental investigations, essential mechanisms of the vibrations are recognized and cause-effect relationships are understood.

Department Control of Aeroelastic Systems

The Control of Aeroelastic Systems department is concerned with the design of control functions for the reduction of structural loads, aeroservoelastic stabilization and the improvement of passenger comfort.

Careers & Education

Information for Students

From internships and practical semesters during your studies, to bachelor's and master's theses, to graduate programs for doctoral students in a wide variety of research fields - the DLR offers a wide range of opportunities for young academics.

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Start your mission at DLR! Whether in science, technology or training – exciting tasks for a wide range of talents. The DLR careers portal offers current vacancies and information on how to get started.