Global energy aircraft optimisation is vital for both incremental as well as disruptive future aircraft configurations. It is key to modern More Electric Aircraft (MEA) architectures as well as their associated electric systems, which are now steadily replacing conventional pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical ones. These latter developments are driven by manifold objectives aiming at significant weight savings, reduced maintenance and operating cost. However, increased electrification has also resulted in higher heat dissipation requirements from larger and more complex electrical systems as well as kilometres of copper wire, linking electrical systems, computers, displays, avionics, sensors, actuators, and cabin entertainment.
In addition to modern MEA architectures, unprecedented amounts of ground and flight data are increasingly available for aircrew, Air Traffic Management (ATM), airline operations, health monitoring and passenger connectivity. This adds to the complication, size and weight of electric power and data distribution on-board. Despite the rapidly evolving technology advancements in power electronics, fault tolerant electrical power distribution systems and electric-driven control systems, there is a need to look for low TRL technologies that deviate from established practices and existing certification routes.
Scope:The main scope of this topic is the development of innovative solutions towards optimising electrical power, data, communication and processing networks in order to achieve weight and cost reduction, harness simplification, versatility and scaling, as well as ensuring high-speed connectivity, without jeopardising safety and security (incl. cybersecurity).
The proposals should address at least two of the following areas:
Proposals are expected to establish synergies with Clean Sky, SESAR, ECSEL, Galileo, EGNOS, HPC, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence R&I initiatives.
The proposals may include the explicit commitment from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to assist or to participate in the actions.
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 2 and 4 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting lower or higher amounts.
Expected Impact:
Please Log In to See This Section