Future Aircraft Technologies

The aim of the laboratory is to identify, explore and develop technological solutions for the next generation of aircraft. These solutions involve Artificial Intelligence being applied to platforms to provide autonomy, to help manage complex missions and to increase digitalisation in the design, development and production phases. In the laboratory, the activities performed include research into electrification of propulsion systems to create a sustainable future for manned and uncrewed aircraft.

Research Unit

Electrification

The research unit investigates the electrification of propulsion for future generations of aircraft. Studies focus on the management of electricity (distribution, conditioning, control and storage) and on electric vehicles. Analyses are carried out on technological modules for energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, H2, etc.), electricity distribution, control elements related to power management, propulsion architectures, through to ‘outside the box’ aircraft configurations that allow electrification.

Researchers: Artem Kolisnichenko, Vimarsh Pratikkumar Joshi, Vincenzo Madonna

HMI and pilot monitoring

The unit focuses on studying new human-machine interfaces that allow monitoring of the mental and physical condition of pilots, improving their workload and providing them with greater awareness of the operational scenario.

Researcher: Giancarlo Allasia

Autonomous systems

The research unit studies methods and applications for the autonomy of future aircraft, plus the collaboration of manned and unmanned systems based on Artificial Intelligence techniques.

Researchers: Matteo Scanavino, Manuel Colavincenzo

Digital Twin

The research unit studies methods and technologies to create, through high-performance computers, the Digital Twin of an aircraft that evolves during its entire lifecycle, from design to production and through to the operational phase.

Researchers: Rocco Gentile, Viola Rossano

Digital manufacturing site

The unit is involved in research activities focused on Artificial Intelligence applied to aircraft production and assembly processes, to help industrial facilities evolve towards digital manufacturing models.

Researcher: Arqum Ahmad

Digital production

The unit is involved in research activities focused on Artificial Intelligence applied to aerostructures, to develop methods and tools for the analysis and simulation of properties and performance, which improve production efficiency.

Researcher: Roberta Cumbo

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Future Aircraft Technologies

Research Unit

Team

Francesco Flora

Artem Kolisnichenko

Viola Rossano

Rocco Gentile

Manuel Colavincenzo