Mar 27, 2026
Flying test lab for climate-friendly aviation: TU Dresden inaugurates research aircraft
The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) and the Institute of Aerospace Engineering(ILR) at TU Dresden officially commissioned their new research aircraft today, March 26, 2026, at Kamenz Airfield, presenting it to the public for the first time. The aircraft will serve as a flying test laboratory for the exploration of fossil-free aviation propulsion systems.
Climate-Friendly Propulsion Systems – Real-World Performance Data
The research focuses on next-generation climate-friendly propulsion technologies, including electric, hydrogen-based, and hybrid concepts. These systems can now be tested and directly compared under real flight conditions. At the same time, integrated analyses of energy systems, sensor technologies, and structural components become possible. The operational and performance data obtained in flight will help transfer technologies from the laboratory into practical application.
“With the research aircraft, we are closing the crucial gap between theory and practical application. This is because sustainable aviation is not just about the engine, but about the holistic integration of propulsion systems into the aircraft. Now, we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate how lightweight fuel systems and complex structural components, for example, perform under the dynamic loads of real-world flight operations,” says Maik Gude, Director of the institute of the ILK.
Real-World Testing for Advanced Measurement Systems and Propulsion Components
The test platform is based on a Diamond Aircraft DA62 MPP, a twin-engine special mission aircraft designed for research and survey operations. It is characterized by exceptional efficiency, modularity, and a low operational signature.Powered by fuel-efficient Jet-A1 piston engines, the aircraft can achieve flight durations of up to ten hours while maintaining low operating and maintenance costs. Its key strength lies in its flexible configuration: modular, interchangeable pods mounted at the nose, fuselage, or under the wings allow integration of a wide range of high-tech sensors and camera systems. Typical mission profiles include border and maritime surveillance, search and rescue (SAR) operations, environmental monitoring, and, as in the “FoFlu” project, use as a flying laboratory for aviation research. With a payload capacity of more than one metric ton, the aircraft provides ample space for scientific instrumentation and experimental propulsion components.
Advancing Eastern Germany as an Aviation Research Hub
The Kamenz site in the Lusatia region is developing into a central node within a growing aviation research landscape in eastern Germany. The research aircraft is an integral part of the newly established OST4Aviation platform, which aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry and to build a high-performance aviation research ecosystem. A key milestone for the test site is the planned expansion of local infrastructure. In the future, Kamenz will host dedicated refueling facilities for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and hydrogen. This will provide the necessary logistical foundation to test fossil-free propulsion technologies directly on site under real-world conditions and to generate forward-looking innovations for climate-neutral aviation.
Background: FoFlu Project
The research aircraft is operated as part of the EU-funded project FoFlu (Modular Research Aircraft as an Experimental Platform for Investigating Future Fossil-Free Propulsion Systems in Real Flight Operations). The total cost of the aircraft, including initial commissioning and import VAT, amounts to approximately €3 million. Additional investments in hydrogen-powered flight engines, infrastructure, and sensor systems are planned throughout the project duration.The project is funded by the European Union and the Free State of Saxony under the JTF InfraProNet program, with a total funding volume of €4.6 million for the period from August 2024 to June 2027.
Contact
© ILK/TUD
Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Spitzer
Head of Lightweight design
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Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology
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