AERTEC Solutions is participating as a Core Partner in the Clean Sky 2 Programme within the consortium set up to carry out the PASSARO (caPAbilities for innovative Structural and functional teSting of AeROstructures) project. Clean Sky is the most significant European research programme aimed at developing technology to reduce the CO2, gas emissions and noise levels produced by aircraft. Said programme also envisages the development of technologies to improve the aeronautical industry’s competitiveness.
PASSARO forms part of a set of projects focused on developing an integrated technology demonstration (ITD) for aerostructures and, in this case, the goal is to enhance high versatility and cost efficiency. Aertec Solutions will contribute to this enhancement through innovations in manufacturing technologies by focusing on the technologies associated to on-ground functional tests for aircraft.
The different work packages Aertec Solutions is participating in will to a great extent make use of information technologies in relation to both software and hardware devices based on the intensive digitising of testing processes to boost these processes’ current degree of automation. Within this context and closely linked to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), concepts such as the following come into play:
- Connectivity: the key element to ensure access to the information managed by the information systems used throughout a product’s life cycle.
- Interoperability: in order to enable the coexistence of commercial off-the-shelf information systems with tailored Information systems.
- Sensorisation: needed to gain access to the data generated by all the resources involved in the aircraft production process.
Having a connected, interoperable and sensorised production infrastructure available will allow the data and information generated to be exploited through data mining techniques. PASSARO will also look into cloud computing technology to increase speed and efficiency in the use of production process resources. The development of technologies to boost workers’ efficiency is another aspect PASSARO will tackle. In this case, wearables, virtual and augmented reality glasses and the use of artificial vision techniques and robotics will also contribute to increasing automation levels with a view to attaining Clean Sky 2’s targets.
About PASSARO
The PASSARO project is funded through the Clean Sky 2 Programme under topic JTI-CS2-2015-CPW02-AIR-02-06 “Airframe on-ground structural and functional tests of advanced structures”. It kicked off in July 2016 and aims to demonstrate the applicability of a set of innovative technologies in the design, manufacturing and on-ground testing stages by using representative cabin and wing aerostructure prototypes.
Caetano Aeronautic, ISQ, INEGI and Aertec are this consortium’s major players, which is supplemented by third-party companies, including: Critical Materials, Alma Design, CEIIA, EDISOFT, TEKEVER, GMV and OPTIMAL. PASSARO was promoted by AeroCluster Portugal with a view to creating a network of integrated, complementary competencies to develop smart, multifunctional aerostructures for the future at a European-wide level. The PASSARO project was chosen as one of the best consortia at a European level and was granted funding amounting to approximately €4.5 million.
About Clean Sky 2
The Clean Sky 2 programme is the most significant aeronautical research programme in Europe promoted by the European Commission and the aeronautical industry within the framework of the European Union’s new Horizon 2020 Research Programme. Its principal mission consists of developing innovative technologies to foster the sustainable development and environmental performance of the continent’s air transport by developing less noisy and more fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby contributing to the attainment of the Single European Sky’s environmental targets while at the same time ensuring European industry’s competitiveness on a global scale.
Clean Sky 2 is a public-private partnership set up by the European Commission and the aeronautical industry’s main European companies. It manages a budget of €3.6 billion intended for research, development and innovation projects in this area. This second programme continues the work done by the Clean Sky 1 programme and will be carried out between 2016 and 2024.
This project has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No CS2-AIR-GAM-2014-2015-01.
