Photo courtesy of Airbus
Airbus is committed to using all the math that computers can muster in a multi-national initiative to keep it at the forefront of aerodynamic efficiency. It has partnered with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and French aerospace lab Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA) to take on computational fluid dynamics.
Computational fluid dynamics uses computer software to blend applied mathematics and physics in pursuit of aircraft design. The computer will model the plane as well as gases and liquids that it might interact with so that engineers can build craft knowing exactly how they will react to forces while in use.
Airbus expects this partnership to help it refine the accuracy of its models so it can “go faster and achieve more,” according to Flight Physics Senior Manager Klaus Becker. He predicts benefits to long-term development projects throughout the Airbus product line.
Airbus has worked with both DLR and ONERA before, but the new agreement goes beyond past efforts. Representatives from both labs expressed excitement in the resources and technology that working with Airbus would afford their groups.