Innovation Through FlightLab and DisruptiveLab


“At Airbus, it’s in our DNA that (we) go from idea to realization very quickly,” said Tomasz Krysinski, head of research and innovation, at the opening of his presentation.


The logic is based on the flight plan. “What we do goes from the idea to the application to fulfill customers’ needs. Safety drives everything,” Krysinski said. To develop the next generation of innovations, Airbus relies on several flying laboratories (FlightLab and DistruptiveLab) to mature new technologies quickly.


Important innovations flowing out of FlightLab include the Rotor Strike Avoidance System (RSAS) available to operators in 2024 (which can be retrofitted), HUMS for light helicopters, and the Engine Backup System (EBS) that uses a 100Kw motor to give the pilot time to reduce the collective during engine failure. Airbus is currently seeking EASA certification of the EBS.


Another interesting development is reducing the three flight controls (cyclic, collective and pedals) to one control. Airbus is currently testing the “Millennium” stick, one stick with more freedom. Airbus believes that when it comes to human/machine


interface, pilots should be focused on the mission and much less on piloting.


The DisruptiveLab is a new demonstrator that flew for the first time in 2023, with a new architecture. This flying laboratory will evaluate an efficient propulsion system by testing a fully parallel hybrid propulsion system that enables batteries to be recharged in-flight. Its new aerodynamic architecture is intended to reduce fuel consumption by reducing mass and drag.


Most helicopter performance efficiencies in the future will occur via 50% aerodynamic improvements, 20% engine performance, and 30% digitalization, according to Krysinski. Airbus has an ambitious program to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%. “We are considering industrialization, and how to transfer their findings to real life and customer needs,” he said.


Helicopters currently represent less than 1% of aviation CO2 emissions, yet to try to protect the planet for future generations, Airbus has made the reduction of carbon emissions in


its


products an absolute priority. “At Airbus Helicopters, we are committed to the IATA target of flying net zero by 2050,” Krysinski said, “This is a key driver for our innovation strategy.”


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