Aeronautics

Aero­nau­tics Re­search at DLR

Aviation faces major challenges: growth, environmental responsibility and safety must all shape its future development. We develop solutions for current and future generations of technology. As architects of the overall aviation system, we contribute well-founded contributions to all parts of society – opening up new perspectives for aviation.

On the way to climate-friendly flying

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Strategy and programme

Aviation connects billions of people, fostering intercultural understanding and the exchange of experiences and knowledge. It connects companies around the globe and is the backbone of time-dependent supply chains and markets for high-value goods. Globally, the aviation industry provides jobs for approximately 65 million people across a wide range of professional qualifications.

Research infrastructure

Harnessing our expertise, we advance new systems, components and propulsion technologies. We develop and operate large-scale, world-class research facilities – including realistic infrastructures for validating solutions developed virtually and in living labs. Our research fleet, ground infrastructure and know-how benefit organisations in Germany and around the world. Together with industry, policymakers and other research institutions, we develop solutions to make aviation safe, competitive and sustainable.

In ac­tion world­wide – fly­ing for re­search

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) operates the largest civilian fleet of research aircraft and helicopters in Europe. These highly-modified aircraft are either themselves the subject of aeronautics research or are used to observe the Earth, the ocean surfaces and the atmosphere. The aircraft are stationed at DLR’s sites in Braunschweig and Oberpfaffenhofen.

Na­tion­al and in­ter­na­tion­al net­work­ing

DLR aero­nau­tics re­search is net­worked at na­tion­al, Eu­ro­pean and glob­al lev­els. To­geth­er with gov­ern­ment rep­re­sen­ta­tives as well as part­ners from in­dus­try and re­search, and in­volv­ing ex­ten­sive co­op­er­a­tion with trade as­so­ci­a­tions and in­ter­est groups, DLR is work­ing to help shape the air trans­port sys­tem of the fu­ture. It plays a lead­ing role in many ar­eas of aero­nau­tics re­search, both na­tion­al­ly and in­ter­na­tion­al­ly.

PluS initiative – technology assessment for tomorrow's aviation

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.

Featured topics

Climate-compatible aviation

The objective has now been set in Germany and Europe, with the aim of achieving climate neutrality in the economy and society. This is how it is worded in the EU's 'Green Deal'. The consequences of climate change also compel us to strive towards climate-neutral air transport, as this sector is responsible for 3.5 percent of global warming. New technologies are needed to ensure global mobility in the future.

Un­manned Air­craft Sys­tems

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are already being applied in various ways – supplying poorly connected areas with medicines, providing disaster relief, in agricultural applications and supporting the transport of manufacturing parts between industrial sites.

News

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Projects

EXACT – studies of sustainable aviation

EXACT (EXploration of electric Aircraft Concepts and Technologies) is one of the most comprehensive studies of sustainable aviation ever conducted. The project aims to identify the most promising technologies of the future and develop highly detailed digital designs for low-emission passenger aircraft.

HAP-alpha – the uncrewed high-altitude platform

Uncrewed stratospheric aircraft, also known as high-altitude platforms (HAPs), offer a sustainable alternative to satellites for Earth observation and communication tasks.

ALICIA: Working towards a comprehensive digital assessment of aviation (artist impression)
Digital assessment platform ALICIA forecasts the climate, environmental, economic and social impacts of revolutionary aircraft technologies at multiple levels – aircraft, airports and the global air transport system – throughout their entire life cycle.
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Low-noise aircraft: Wind tunnel test with 7200 microphones for sound source measurement
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Multistage two-shaft axial compressor
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Links

Programme Management Agency for Aviation Research

Institutes and facilities

Jobs and careers

CEAS Aeronautical Journal

The CEAS Aeronautical Journal publishes scientific, peer-reviewed articles covering all areas of aeronautical research worldwide.

Virtual Product House

With the Virtual Product House (VPH) in Bremen, DLR is pursuing the goal of closely cooperating with industry partners, the scientific community and public authorities to implement an integration and test centre for the virtual simulation and certification of components and technologies, as well as their integration into the overall aircraft.

Downloads

Brochure: Towards zero-emission aviation (2021)

180.3 KB | PDF

EREA – The future of aviation

4.0 MB | PDF