The Airbus Helicopters Racer (Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft) demonstrator introduced here at the Paris Air Show represents a milestone in the ambitious Clean Sky 2 European research program. A scale model of the Racer, the first rotorcraft model among four concept aircraft categories slated for development under the research effort, is being shown along with other in-development demonstrators at the Clean Sky display here at Le Bourget (Hall 2B Stand G125). Airbus Helicopters has established a partnership with a GE Aviation-University of Nottingham consortium to develop a more efficient wing structure compatible with optimized control surfaces and systems for the technology demonstrator.
The other category aircraft to be developed under Clean Sky 2 are business jet concepts (both low-sweep wing and high-speed), regional aircraft (large turboprop and regional jet), and a large commercial aircraft (short/medium/long range and next-generation large turbofan). Clean Sky 2 is an extension of the Clean Sky 1 program launched in 2008, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 initiative. It runs in parallel and in concert with other initiatives aimed at reducing CO2, gas emissions and noise levels produced by aircraft, said Giuseppe Pagnano, Clean Sky coordinating Project Officer/CTO.
Altogether, these programs have a 2020 target to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent, nitrous oxide emissions by 80 percent, and external noise by 50 percent over year 2000 levels. Clean Sky 2 has a €4 billion ($4.5 billion) budget, and 600 participating entities from 24 countries. According to program sponsors, Clean Sky is “well on its way to being the main contributor to achieving the emissions and noise targets.” Another Clean Sky 2 milestone is slated for September, when Airbus will fly an A340 converted to test laminar wing technologies. As shown on the scale model at the Clean Sky stand, the aircraft’s original left wing has been shortened, and an eight-meter laminar flow airfoil attached in its place for the flight tests.