C. Ehrich, L. Kriebel, T. Schulz, M. Tekkel, L. Wauer, L. Wenz, L. Kugler, S. Müller, C. Niro

The eighth edition of the annual DLR Design Challenge, organised by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), invites students of aeronautical sciences to apply, test and demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creatively addressing prospective aeronautical engineering issues and submit an innovative aircraft design. In this years Design Challenge, students are tasked with designing a future aircraft for operation on European regional routes which is optimised for economical and energy efficiency. By analysing the provided network of routes, the teams can determine their own operational concept and subsequently identify the design point and top-level aircraft requirements, including propulsion technology, design range and passenger capacity. The freedom to select the most appropriate technology and climate-friendly energy source ensures a variety of innovative aircraft concepts for Entry-Into-Service in 2050. This paper introduces CHARGE, the winner of this years Design Challenge, a narrow body box-wing aircraft with distributed electric propulsion. In response to the significant greenhouse gas emissions of the aviation industry, especially in short-haul operations, CHARGE offers a climate-friendly solution for regional and domestic flights. The aircraft is able to carry 110 passengers over a range of 900 km, ideal for regional and domestic operation. To enhance operational efficiency and cost effectiveness, CHARGE is equipped with integrated airstairs and an electric nose gear motor for airport independent operation, enabling the aircraft to operate from small regional airports with minimal infrastructure. CHARGE is both energetically and economically superior to its reference aircraft on the given route network, making it a promising and viable concept.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2024, Hamburg

Conference Paper

englisch

education, battery electric aircraft, regional aircraft, box wing, distributed electric propulsion

The International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences ICAS - Proceedings, 2024

2958-4647

16.10.2024