PluS initiative – technology assessment for tomorrow's aviation
DLR aviation research PluS
PluS initiative – technology assessment for tomorrow's aviation
The PluS initiative – a platform-independent system model
DLR's PluS aviation research initiative is developing a digital platform for evaluating system technologies within the overall aircraft and aviation system. The aim is to provide more detailed information on, for example, the economic and environmental impact of aviation. The approach also focuses on evaluating global mobility trends, economic efficiency, energy efficiency as well as the local environmental impact of airports, such as exhaust emissions and noise pollution.
Aviation of the future must become more efficient, sustainable and innovative. A primary objective is to halve aircraft energy consumption by 2050. For this, aerodynamics, lightweight construction and efficient system architecture design are crucial.
Since the beginning of 2025, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has been setting a new standard for developing climate-compatible aviation systems through its PluS initiative. With PluS (Plattformunabhängiges Systemmodell; Platform-independent system model), DLR is launching an initiative for the aviation industry. The initiative aims to develop and evaluate various aircraft systems and their energy flows and functions – in full interaction with each other within a complete aircraft-level system architecture.
DLR as architect of climate-compatible, competitive aviation
Researchers from more than 40 DLR institutes and facilities are working in interdisciplinary teams to develop highly integrated technology solutions, methods and processes for future aviation. For over 30 years, DLR has collaborated with industry and business to create projects and concepts for entire aircraft and aviation systems. These innovative research efforts span low-emission propulsion systems, engine technologies, cross-component lightweight construction, novel aircraft concepts and components, and research into climate-optimised flight routes.
With its multidisciplinary expertise across institutes, projects and programmes, DLR is well-positioned to offer researchers in industry and science an assessment environment within a platform-independent system model through the PluS initiative.
Technological evaluation capability across institutes, projects and programmes
Traditionally, researchers in aircraft development initially focus on aerodynamic design and mechanical structures. With questions relating to system architecture – such as the interaction of energy sources and subsystems and an assessment of their overall energy consumption – only addressed later. This sequential approach can prevent the full potential of innovative technologies from being realised.
This is where the PluS initiative comes in: PluS is developing a platform-independent system model that enables an integrated, holistic view of all relevant technical subsystems from the outset. Using digital design tools, developers can evaluate different technologies at an early stage in terms of efficiency, energy consumption and other technological criteria.
With the PluS model, DLR scientists and developers from industrial companies can analyse and refine their technologies on a shared platform. The aim is to enable the evaluation of new systems across different aircraft configurations and mobility scenarios.
Key factors include:
Energy efficiency and functionality
Integration of new energy sources and propulsion systems
Overall system optimisation in terms of mass, volume and performance
PluS initiative for the sustainable transformation of aviation
DLR is establishing a comprehensive evaluation environment through the targeted use of digital tools and software frameworks like CPACS (Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Schema) and RCE (Remote Component Environment). Collaboration between different institutes and disciplines ensures that new technologies are not considered in isolation but can be tested holistically for their practical suitability.
The PluS initiative is an essential contribution to aviation's sustainability transformation. It lays the foundation for designing future aircraft that are even more environmentally compatible, economical and efficient. Close collaboration with industry and academia helps to transfer technological innovations efficiently into practice and actively accelerate the transition to climate-compatible, competitive aviation.
