national aerospace technology strategy
Thursday 28 August 2008

NATS - National Aerospace Technology Strategy > ATVPs and AINs > Aerodynamics AIN

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Aerodynamics AIN

As part of the National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS), the Aerospace Innovation Growth Team (AeIGT) initiative is to realise the vision that "by 2022 the UK will offer a global aerospace industry in the worlds most innovative and productive location, leading to a sustainable growth for all its stakeholders". Instrumental to this is the formation of six Aerospace Technology Validation Programmes (ATVPs) and twelve Aerospace Innovation Networks (AINs) believed to have the most direct impact on these objectives.

Aerodynamics, or the broader subject of fluid dynamics, is a core competence of the aerospace industry. Continued success in the global aerospace market place relies on the maintaining its position at the forefront of this complex engineering discipline. Market success depends on achieving ever more challenging performance criteria, pushing the science of aerodynamics and the associated design methods further than ever before. The will only be able to satisfy this requirement if it maintains a robust capability infrastructure, supported by a co-ordinated and innovative programme of research.



Programme

The Aerodynamics AIN (AAIN) is currently engaged in putting together such a programme. This programme will provide all of the aerospace industry with the tools and knowledge needed to overcome the complex challenges facing the commercial aerospace and defence markets. For example, achieving the environmental performance improvements set by the ACARE (Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe www.acare4europe.com) targets will require a step change in airframe and powerplant technology. This programme is being structured around the following Activity Streams:

  • Numerical simulation methods, tools and technologies
  • Flow physics and application technologies
  • Test facilities and data acquisition technologies
  • Design environments

An extended Programme Management Group, representing all of the major aerospace organisations that have a close interest in aerodynamics design technologies is collating this programme. These include Airbus, Rolls-Royce, MBDA, BAE Systems, Dowty Propellers, Westland Helicopters, QinetiQ, Bombardier Aerospace and Aircraft Research Association. Representatives from the public sector funding agencies and a representative from academia support this team.

The nominated industry lead company for this programme is Airbus.

Benefits

The AAIN will provide the with a robust, co-ordinated programme of research in the field of aerodynamics and associated subjects, thereby ensuring that the aerospace industry has the knowledge and capabilities to deliver future market competitiveness. Furthermore, it will provide a framework for collaboration between industries and academia as well as facilitating engagement with other industrial sectors.

Status

The programme is currently in the scoping and development stage with industry working closely with national and regional stakeholders to identify technology research themes aligned to the projected future capability requirements for the AAIN. Elements of the research programme are expected to commence from early 2007.