Flying Testbed
The DLR Airbus A320 ATRA, D-ATRA, has been used in a wide range of civilian research projects ranging from cabin comfort to aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, flight systems technology, flight guidance and aeroelasticity through to an electric-taxi trial with motorised nose landing gear and fuel cells. With its comprehensive instrumentation, D-ATRA makes a decisive contribution to the development of safe, efficient and low-emission technologies for the next generation of aircraft.
In close cooperation with Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus Commercial, ATRA is used for the development of new radar technologies. ATRA offers the advantages of being a certified aircraft with strict separation of the aircraft systems and test equipment. With sufficient cabin and cargo space, as well as electrical power, it is possible to integrate and operate complex experimental systems. Equipment can be tested under realistic conditions and replaced quickly if necessary. Teams of flight test engineers can analyse data directly during flight and make parameter adjustments as necessary. DLR is supporting the project with the ATRA research aircraft, its qualified personnel and experience from flight operations, design organisation as well as measurement technology.
In place of the standard civil radome, a representative nose fairing is used to further replicate radar operating conditions.
As a modular system with around 400 individual components, it illustrates the versatile missions of the ATRA, which has been in use as an airborne research platform since 2008.
Link:
German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR)
DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology
Flight Experiments facility
E-Mail contact-dlr@DLR.de
