The BIRAN project targets the environmental and competitiveness challenge of the European aeronautics sector, by addressing the topic of experimental validation rig testing to develop aerodynamic and acoustic technologies for the rear stages of VHBR IP turbines. The advancement of IP Turbine technologies, as an important contributor to the VHBR engine concept, will participate significantly to the global objectives from Clean Sky2, which aim towards achievement of ACARE flight-path 2050 ambitious goals about CO2, NOx and Noise emissions. The global objectives of this proposal are aligned with the targets marked by Rolls-Royce for the Middle of Market Technology configuration. This proposal will deliver individual improvements in sub-system technology developments, to support the overall development of system level technologies capable of delivering substantial reductions in emissions. The specific objectives of CTA, as applicant partner, include all the tasks to permit the experimental validation of relevant technologies (i.e. design, instrumentation, manufacturing, assembly, testing and supply of all test data). First four work packages are focused on the activities to develop and test a multistage rig of the rear stages, comprising all the aerodynamic and acoustic technologies individually developed in ORBIT project, in order to characterize how these technologies interacts, and therefore to validate them in a further TRL. The fifth WP is committed for the comparison of the former results with relevant reference rig test, as an opportunity to integrate the new knowledge and enable the application of the innovations. To guarantee the success of this proposal, it is required to develop European world-class test capability that includes the acquisition of testing and measurement technologies. Experience from the participation in previous R&T European programmes is key to minimize program risks and deliver successfully rig testing in the required time scales.

The ORBIT project targets the environmental and competitiveness challenge of the European aeronautics sector, by addressing the topic of experimental validation rig testing to develop aerodynamic technologies for the multi-stage IP turbine of the Very High Bypass Ratio engine (VHBR). The advancement of multi-stage IP Turbine technologies, as an important contributor to the VHBR engine concept, will participate significantly to the global objectives from Clean Sky2, which aim towards achievement of ACARE flight-path 2050 ambitious goals about CO2, NOx and Noise emissions. The global objectives of this proposal are therefore aligned with the targets marked by Rolls-Royce for the Middle of Market Technology configuration. This proposal will deliver individual improvements in sub-system technology developments, to support the overall development of system level technologies capable of delivering substantial reductions in emissions. The specific objectives of CTA as applicant partner, include all the tasks to permit the experimental validation of relevant aerodynamic technologies (i.e. design, manufacture, assembly and finally testing and post-processing). First four work packages propose the test of innovative geometries to assess the improved losses and reduction in the generated noise. The fifth work package is committed for the comparison of the former results with relevant reference rig tests, as an opportunity to integrate the new knowledge and enable the application of the innovations. To guarrantee the success of this proposal, it is required to develop European world-class test capability that includes the acquisition of testing and measurement. Experience from the participation in previous R&T European programmes is key to minimize program risks and deliver successfully aerodynamic rig test programmes in the required time scales. Finally, the ORBIT project considers activities for the dissemination and exploitation of the results to maximize the expected impact on competitiveness.

The main goal of FLOWCAASH project is to design and manufacture reliable and safe flow control actuators at aircraft scale by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) able to withstand the high temperatures (up to 260 °C) and pressures (5 bar) during flight test with aerodynamic performance and high resistance to harsh environments. FLOWCAASH project is focused on the development of innovative designs of Active Flow Control (AFC) actuators to be manufactured by powder bed based additive manufacturing (AM) using Ti6Al4V alloy. Selective Laser Melting (SLM), that utilizes a laser as a thermal energy source to melt the powder has been chosen as the preferred AM technology. The innovative designs of these AFC actuators will allow to be installed in restricted space in the next generation aircrafts with UHBR (Ultra High Bypass Ratio) engines. Two different actuators will be considered, Pulsed Jet Actuator (PJA) and Steady Blowing Actuator (SBA). These actuators will have the potential to reduce aerodynamic flow separation and to increase lift coefficient. This will be obtained by bionic design which allows complex geometries and improve structural strength while reducing the weight. In order to assure process reliability of large Ti parts, distortion prediction numerical simulations will be accomplished. As-built part will be post-processed by means of heat and surface treatments in order to ensure dimensional stability and adequate surface quality for aerodynamic performance. Afterwards the actuators will be validated by aerodynamic and harsh environment tests including rain, icing, sand and dust, vibrations and anti-icing fluid. The FLOWCAASH project will be developed by a well-balanced consortium that brings together 2 partners: the research center LORTEK and the aerospace test laboratory CTA.