DLRmagazine 180 (June 2026)

Robots in aircraft maintenance

Precise as a surgeon

With precision, this robotic arm moves between the blades of an engine to inspect it and repair any damage – saving time and costs. Until now, engines had to be disassembled for such a procedure. Researchers at the DLR Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul see great potential in using robots for Aircraft maintenance. They are testing this minimally invasive inspection and repair method on a former Pearl 700 development engine on loan from Rolls-Royce Germany.

Read the cover story

What drives us...

Florian Heilemann
Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

"With our robots, we aim to repair aircraft without taking them apart. We think of the hangar like an operating theatre; the smaller the procedure, the faster our patients are back in the air."

Read more in the article Precise as a surgeon

Joséphine Koffler
Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

"We observe the Earth from space with incredible precision, but understanding the impact of what we send into space remains a challenge. That's exactly where my work begins."

Read more in the article The data detective

Carsten Agert
Institute of Networked Energy Systems

"Anyone who wants a secure and resilient energy system mustn't examine just one possible future, but many conceivable futures."

Read more in the article "Our Energy system must become more independent!"

Jessika Wichner
Head of the DLR Central Archive

"Exploring DLR's history is a journey through the first half of the 20th century, encountering ‘old acquaintances' on the way to new goals."

Read more in the DLRmagazine PDF below or on the website "History of DLR"

More articles

"Our energy system must become more independent!"

Carsten Agert on the security and resilience of our energy system

Only flying for real is better

In the AVES hall, various aircraft can be simulated with remarkable realism

The data detective

Joséphine Koffler analyses satellite data in the name of sustainability.

Download the DLRmagazine

DLRmagazine 180 (June 2026)

9.9 MB | PDF

With precision, this robotic arm moves between the blades of an engine to inspect it and repair any damage – saving time and costs. Until now, engines had to be disassembled for such a procedure. Researchers at the DLR Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul see great potential in using robots for Aircraft maintenance. They are testing this minimally invasive inspection and repair method on a former Pearl 700 development engine on loan from Rolls-Royce Germany.

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