Overview
The goal is to provide a communication platform for all aircraft disciplines concerned directly or indirectly with aerodynamic performance improvement including design & system integration, structures, materials, manufacturing, operational & maintenance aspects. KATnet intends to bring together engineers, designer and scientists from all Concerned disciplines in order - to enhance the information/data exchange between industry and research community - to identify future RTD priorities meeting the long-term needs - to accelerate the interdisciplinary design process - to improve the flight performance of future transport aircraft.
The main objective of KATnet was to identify and assess those aerodynamic technologies that are needed to meet the Vision 2020 goals and to be the European focus for these technologies. This was reached by development of a common R&T strategy in the KATnet technology areas and by providing a communication platform via Internet, workshops and a conference on the subject.
KATnet is covering the relevant Technology Areas Low Speed Performance (TA1), High Speed Performance (TA2) and Flow Control Technologies (TA3) including the ten EU funded aeronautical projects/platforms EUROLIFT, HELIX, HiAer, EPISTLE, HiReTT, AEROSHAPE, M-DAW, ALTTA, AEROMEMS II and AWIATOR. Other relevant non-EU activities addressed by KATnet are AIRnet, GARTEUR, ERCOFTAC and corresponding national programmes.
Funding
Results
The final achievements of KATnet include:
- Identification of promising technologies, quantification of their benefits and maturity, and development of roadmaps for their implementation into future aircraft
- Dissemination of KATnet information via the KATnet homepage and newsletters
- Providing of a communication platform by organising workshops on key technology areas and an international conference on the subject.
R&T Strategy Development & Exploitation
A wide range of aerodynamic technologies have been examined and assessed for their potential to meet the Vision 2020 goals with the result that only those technologies as laminar flow technology, turbulent drag reduction technologies, < with combination in technologies>weight reductions and configuration change that are promising a step change rather than a small benefit will enable Europe’s aircraft industry to be competitive in the future.
KATnet Website & Newsletters
- The KATnet homepage and newsletters were important means for the dissemination of KATnet information.
- A very professional website has been developed, but the site population was weaker than expected. The major struggle in this
Technical Implications
During the course of KATnet lessons have been learnt how to improve the networking activities of a potential successor:
R&T Strategy Development & Exploitation
The whole KATnet strategy development procedure should be refined and completed concerning multidisciplinary technology evaluation, implications of the “2020 Compliant Aircraft”, and the development of roadmaps for the technology implementation into future aircraft.
The existing technology templates are a valuable database for more detailed strategy investigations.
For industry “confidence in a technology” seems to be a guide rather than the “degree of technology maturity”.
For a more reliable quantification of the potential benefits a multidisciplinary approach is needed.
As further items in the strategy development:
aerodynamic noise,
weight reductions,
configuration changes,
system integration, structural, material, manufacturing, operational & maintenance aspects have to be included.
The implications of the “2020 Compliant Aircraft” are dictating the timescales for the technology development & validation. The academic & research community has to be fully incorporated into the corresponding efforts.
The developmen
Policy implications
See key results