DLR Design Challenge 2022: Design of a next generation VTOL firefighting aircraft

Abstract

Since 2017, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has been organizing an annual student competition on conceptual aircraft design titled DLR Design Challenge. This education and training initiative is set to challenge the next generation of aircraft designers with topics tailored to current research questions in the field of aeronautics. This year’s challenge was about the development of an aerial firefighting system of systems including vehicle and fleet design with a strong emphasize on operationally-driven design aspects. This paper proposes a design for a next generation vertical take-off and landing firefighting aircraft with an expected entry into service in 2030, that is working intelligently and interconnected in a group of four. The design won the DLR Design Challenge 2022 and the underlying work covers the preliminary design including the structural concept, aerodynamic simulations, weight and balance calculations and the concept for water intake and deployment. The designed aircraft is characterized by a considerable high payload ratio that features vertical take-off and landing capabilities while showing efficient horizontal flight properties with a very competitive cost basis. The 24-hr operability during various weather conditions and challenging fire scenarios is ensured using a wide variety of sensors and a modern glass-cockpit combining pilot comfort with indispensable safety aspects. Due to its modular design, every aircraft can be comfortably converted to a passenger or freight version during firefighting off-season or for cargo and crew supply during the missions.