Test Request for Complex Leading Edge Tests

Abstract

The European Union Horizon 2020 Clean Sky 2 research programme focuses on innovative technologies demonstrated on large passenger aircraft. The requested test series supports the maturity of the hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) technology. It requires a suction technology for the outer surface which is here realised by a micro-perforated metal skin supported by a composite structure and multiple suction ducts in between. To demonstrate the technology readiness of the HLFC design, and delivering a validation test for numerical simulations the impact behaviour needs to be shown. One key point is to perform the bird strike tests back-to-back, i. e. each test case will be performed similarly by artificial bird and by real bird. For the artificial bird, the DLR reinforced artificial bird (DLRRAB) in the 3.6 kg (8 lbs) weight class in elliptical shape in the version Mk 2.3 will be applied. For the real bird a new way of preparation will be applied. In a preliminary series, several launching tests shall be performed over a realistic impact velocity range typical for passenger aircraft. These are to confirm impact conditions with small margins. The tests will be performed on a generic leading edge (GLE) to study representivnes and repeatability. In the main test series, two identical HLFC horizontal tail plane (HTP) stabiliser leading edge segments in full-size dimension will be tested in an assembly resembling a HTP box together a front spar. The tests shall be fully identically performed besides applying an articial bird and a real bird. This project receives funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No CS2-LPA-GAM-2020-2021-01.