Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE
Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE

Clean Sky 2

Building on the success of the Clean Sky program, the EU's Clean Sky 2 aviation research program aimed to make aviation lower in emissions, more fuel-efficient and more environmentally friendly. The technologies developed in the program will help future aircraft producing 20 to 30 percent lower CO2, NOx and noise emissions compared to the technology status of 2014. Another important goal was the development of a strong and globally competitive aviation industry in Europe.

 

Clean Sky 2 had a volume of around 4 billion euros and runs until the beginning of 2024. The program consisted of the following parts:

  • Three Innovative Aircraft Demonstration Platforms (IADP) for Large Passenger Aircraft (LPA), Regional Aircraft (REG) and Fast RotorCraft (FRC) for the development and testing of flying demonstrators at the level of the entire aircraft
  • three Integrated Technology Demonstrators (ITD) for Airframe (AIR), Engines (ENG) and Systems (SYS) using demonstrators at the level of large integrated systems
  • two cross-cutting activities for Small Air Transport (SAT) and Eco-Design (ecoDESIGN), integrating the knowledge from different demonstrators for specific applications and enabling the use of synergies between different platforms through joint projects and results
  • as well as the Technology Evaluator, which monitored and evaluated the environmental and social impact of the technologies developed under the program.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft was one of the founding members of the Clean Sky 2 research program and Fraunhofer Institutes were involved in almost all areas of the program. Fraunhofer led the cross-sectional activity ecoDESIGN as consortium leader.

Projects

Airframe

The Airframe project aimed at reducing the environmental impact of air traffic by developing and integrating new materials, new manufacturing methods and structural technologies as well as innovative control and drive architectures. The development focused on optimizing aerodynamics, weight, costs and the impact during the life cycle of the components. The project comprises more than 130 partners including the Fraunhofer Institutes EMI, ENAS, IBP, ICT, IFAM, IGCV, IGD, IPA, IWM and LBF.

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ecoDESIGN

The Eco-Design Transversal Activity (eco TA) led by Fraunhofer followed the overall "cradle-to-cradle" approach for the development, manufacture, maintenance, and recycling of aircraft components. The project evaluated materials, processes and resources using a comprehensive life cycle assessment, thus making an important contribution to the sustainable design of tomorrow's aviation (ecoDESIGN®). The Fraunhofer Institutes IBP, ICT, IGD, IISB, ILT, IML, IPT, ISI and LBF contributed to eco TA.

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Engines

Reducing the ecological footprint plays a decisive role in the development of next generation aircraft engines. This requires a high degree of innovation and new engine concepts. Together with around 70 partners, the Fraunhofer Institutes IPT, ICT and ILT worked on developing new technologies and systems that are more environmentally sustainable not only during flight operations but in all life cycle phases. This includes advanced manufacturing processes, repair- and recycling-scenarios.

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Large Passenger Aircraft

Large Passenger Aircraft carry more than 100 passengers or an equivalent cargo loading across short-, medium- and long-haul distances. Together with around 150 partners, the Fraunhofer Institutes EMI, ENAS, IBP, IFAM, IGCV, IWS, and LBF engaged in further maturing technologies developed in Clean Sky 1 and integrating new, innovative technologies such as a multi-functional fuselage demonstrator made of thermoplastics and new assembly processes for future aircraft.

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Regional Aircraft

At the center of the project Regional Aircraft were tree ground-based and two flying demonstrators. Their task was to further mature technologies developed in Clean Sky 1 as well as new technologies and methods so that they meet the high demands requested of future, highly efficient regional aircraft. In this project comprising around 30 partners the Fraunhofer Institutes ENAS, IBP, IISB and IKTS were engaged. Regional cooperated closely with the Systems, Airframe and ecoDESIGN projects.

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