In-flight Systems and Technology Airborne Research
The Dassault Falcon 2000LX is operated by DLR under the name ISTAR (In-flight Systems and Technologies Airborne Research).
Alongside the first research campaigns conducted with the new aircraft, ISTAR is gradually being upgraded to its full capability as a ‘flying simulator’. In the current development phase, DLR is working on a fly-by-wire system that allows experimental access to the primary control surfaces and engine thrust. In addition, all required system components as well as a safe shutdown mechanism for the experimental system are being integrated and tested in the aircraft. Building on this interface, further development will then follow to enable experimental access to the secondary flight control system.
ISTAR’s main research areas include pilot assistance systems, autonomous flight, flight safety improvements and in-flight simulation of the flight characteristics and performance of new aircraft configurations. The full digitalisation of the aircraft is also planned, covering everything from aerodynamic modelling to new methods for virtual certification.
ISTAR can already be used for a wide variety of scientific experiments. In addition to supplementary experimental antennas, the base aircraft is equipped with over 100 sensors integrated into the airframe, which are located in the fuel tank, on the wings and on the fuselage, among other locations. This sensor system makes it possible to record all aircraft movements and structural deformations. Our researchers use the resulting test data to, for example, improve the predictive accuracy of their numerical structural models. ISTAR is also equipped with a high-precision air data measurement system and flight test instrumentation, which allows for high-resolution measurement of structural loads across all key aircraft components.
Link:
German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR)
Flight Experiments facility
E-Mail contact-dlr@DLR.de
