Clean Sky 2: developing new generations of greener aircraft

The Challenge

Air transport contributes today about 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions, with traffic expected to triple by 2050. Although other sectors are more polluting this expected growth makes it necessary to address aviation’s environmental impact. Meeting the EU’s climate and energy objectives will require a drastic reduction of the sector’s environmental impact by reducing its emissions. Maximising fuel efficiency, using less to go farther, is also a key cost-cutting factor in a very competitive industry – and as air traffic increases, better noise reduction technologies are needed. But game-changing innovation in this sector is risky, complex and expensive, and requires long-term commitment. This is why all relevant European stakeholders must work together to develop proof-of-concept demonstrators.

What is the Clean Sky 2 (CS2)?

CS2 is a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI), a public-private partnership bringing together companies, universities, public laboratories, innovative SMEs and the European Commission. It develops and demonstrates break-through technologies for the civil aircraft/fast-rotorcraftmarket to cut aircraft emissions and noise, and secure the future international competitiveness of the European aviation industry.

Clean Sky activities

Clean Sky 2 activities are performed within eight ‘Integrated Technology Demonstrators’ (ITDs) and a ‘Technology Evaluator’.  Further details can be found on each via the links below:

• Eco Design
• Large Passenger Aircraft
• Regional Aircraft
• Fast Rotorcraft
• Airframe
• Engines
• Systems
• Small Air Transport
• Technology Elevator

Expected results and benefits

The technologies developed under CS2 will reduce environmental pollution and noise levels and will therefore improve the quality of life. The close collaboration between the partners of CS2 will accelerate the pace of technological progress and create a mutual win-win situation.

CS2 will help Europe’s aeronautics sector remain competitive. Europe currently has a world market share of 40% and the global aviation sector is expected to grow by 4-5% per year. But faced with fierce competition Europe needs to develop new technologies to create new market opportunities and new highly specialised jobs.

Specific objectives also include:

• increasing aircraft fuel efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions by between 20 to 30%
• reducing aircraft NOx and noise emissions by between 20 to 30% compared to “state-of-the-art” aircraft entering into service as from 2014

If this initiative is of interest to you, to find out more and how we can help you, please get in touch.