R&D activities have been a part of our dna since the very beginning
Stratosphere commitment to applied research, present from its genesis, has provided for both new technologies and solutions but also very skilled personnel and beyond state-of-the-art procedures in advanced material systems. It also reinforces the company’s mission to develop and supply innovative, dependable technologies for its customers.
The company also works in partnership with universities and R&D centres around the world in applied research in order to continuously explore new ideas and technologies.
TB30 – Methodology and tools for assessing the structural health and life extension of aircraft.
The SHM-TB30 project intends to create and develop a data analysis system through the implementation of a methodology and construction of the respective advanced tools, for the assessment of the structural condition of an aircraft fleet, enabling the monitoring of the operation in order to optimize it. maintenance plan and a possible extension of aircraft life at acceptable costs. It therefore intends to implement an innovative program for the management of aircraft fleet condition which includes monitoring of usage (operational loading), condition (diagnosis of structural health) and consumption management of its useful life (condition prognosis). The integration of Operational Loading Monitoring (OLM) and condition diagnostics (SHM) will enable the development of new tools that enable the assessment of the condition of aircraft with reduced instrumentation (sensors and data acquisition systems), reducing costs. The strategy involves the complete instrumentation of two aircraft, the construction of transfer functions (flight parameters-operational loading-damage-lifetime), reduced instrumentation of the remaining fleet (for cost savings), and data integration. and information on a software platform.
The project aims to develop, test and validate a pioneer and unique solution in the world market, based for the first time on the collaborative use of different data collection platforms (autonomous vehicles, fixed platforms and hybrid vehicles), using disruptive technologies. and innovative communication systems, designing a solution that ensures communication between the different platforms and between these and a supporting infrastructure, and with the subsea operations management system, data integration, processing and availability of information through its own channels. To achieve the intended objectives, the project will be developed in 6 PPS (Products, Processes or Systems) that we now identify:
· PPS 1: Torpedo AUV
· PPS 2: Seafloor Landers
· PPS 3: Hybrid ROV / AUV
· PPS 4: Operation Support Infrastructure
· PPS 5: Networking Communications System
· PPS 6: Data Integration, Data Processing and Availability Platform.
ALIR_MCS- Advanced Lightweight Impact Resistant: materials, components and structures.
With the increased use of composite materials in aircraft structures, impact protection is also growingly important as these materials, which are lighter and more efficient than their metal counterparts, are more prone to impact damage, potentially reducing system performance. From damage induced by falling tools and handling to those caused by the in-flight impact with birds, this design aspect must be solved in order to comply with the airworthiness rules of these systems, either by oversizing these structures – making tem heavier and less efficient aircraft – or by insuring mechanical performance with material improvements. This is valid for both manned and unmanned systems: according to European standards of aircraft certification, unmanned aircraft above 150kg must perform to the same certification specifications as a manned aircraft, since it is understood that both put the lives of others at risk. It follows that the development of knowledge regarding these materials and the phenomena relating to the impact on composite structures is a highly differentiating element for an aircraft builder, even if unmanned aircraft, such as XAeroSystems. This forms the economic driving force behind the ALIR_mcs project.
The R&D activities of the MOSHO project are strongly aligned with the CleanSky2 strategy, more specifically the IDT_Airframe with which it has had several synergies. The MOSHO project is a project of complementary activities to the PASSARO – Capabilities for Innovative Structural and functional testing of aerostructures project, financed under a call to Core Partner of Clean Sky 2, in partnership with ADS (Airbus Defense and Space), and the which the promoters of the MOSHO project are an integral part. The project is also in line with the vision of an international airline operator (TAP) that allows framing the future valuation of the results of the most efficient project.
At the end of the project, the following results are expected:
• Demonstrate the new generation of high-performance impact materials, including self-healing material solutions
• Qualify the composite repair technologies developed in the project
• Qualify NDT technologies for repairing composites
• Obtain an autonomous system for monitoring the structural integrity of repaired composites, including energy capture, sensing and wireless communications solutions.
• Obtain tools and approaches to assess in an integrated manner the efficiency and eco-efficiency of the repair processes for composite structures.
• Have a new integrated approach for the advanced repair of composite structures, with the potential to revolutionize aircraft repair and maintenance operations.
