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2022-08-01

ILA Berlin 2022: Spotlight on Exciting Future of Flight

The ILA Berlin 2022, one of the biggest worldwide events in aviation, that took place from June 22 to 26, under the slogan ‘Pioneering Aerospace,’ turned out to be a roaring success going by the enthusiastic response it elicited from the participants across the globe.

For five days the Berlin/Brandenburg region was a hub and platform for exchanging views on the future of aerospace.

Sustainability, innovation and new technologies were the dominant themes. The mega event gathered representatives of international industry, politics, the armed forces and science.

Around 550 exhibitors from 29 countries presented a wide range of high-tech products and research and development projects. Some 260 speakers discussed the latest aerospace topics on five stages. A total of 72,000 visitors made it to the event.

Key issues covered included climate-neutral flight, military security and the benefits of space flight for humanity.

Volker Thum, chief executive of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), stated: “ILA22 was the first aerospace show to take place in Europe since the pandemic began. The keen interest shown by visitors and exhibitors, the significant presence of German policymakers and the partnership with the European Commission sent a clear message: aviation, space flight and defence have become mainstream topics in society. From the perspective of long-term sustainability, the focus is on how to hand over today’s world to a future generation with the ecology, economy and security in mind.”

He added: “ILA22 highlighted the big progress we have already made, with research and development on climate-neutral aviation, communications and climate observation from space, and with technologies for our security and defending our values. But we still have a long way to go. In that sense ’Pioneering Aerospace’, this year’s slogan at ILA, remains our commitment to the future.“

Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH, stated: “Following the break due to the pandemic we were delighted that ILA has made a strong comeback. ILA 2022 was impressive proof that, more than any other event, it stands for innovation and the new technologies of this high-tech industry.”

The Federal government was strongly represented at the event. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz opened ILA Berlin with a tour of the show. “For those who want to find out what the future of aviation really has in store, ILA is the right place to be,” he said in his opening speech.

The federal chancellor thanked the exhibitors and companies present. “They were the true ‘pioneers of aerospace’. They whet our appetite for aviation’s future – climate-neutral, low-noise and highly innovative.”

‘Giants of the Sky’

Around 60 aircraft of all sizes and categories were displayed at the ILA. There were the “giants of the sky,” an A380 airliner and Beluga transporter from Airbus, military aircraft including a Lockheed Martin F-35 multi-role combat aircraft, a Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, as well as mock-ups of innovative devices such as the Volocopter flying taxi, the fully electric Rolls Royce Spirit of Innovation, and the hydrogen-powered Apus i-2.

At the Space Pavilion the focus was on the benefits of space flight for life on Earth.

One high point was the Astronaut Talk featuring Matthias Maurer, Alexander Gerst, Thomas Reiter and Reinhold Ewald.

The Advanced Air Mobility displays presented the entire spectrum of unmanned aircraft systems and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs).

At the Future Lab the main topic was the path to achieving climate-neutral aviation by 2050. At the Military Support Center the Luftwaffe and industry demonstrated how together they were working to ensure the operational readiness of aircraft and equipment.

And on the stage of the International Supplier Center, ISC, the focus was on the latest topics that concerned suppliers – including climate-neutral aviation, digitalisation and the stability of supply chains.

Space Pavilion

Aerospace actors used simulations, videos and models to present fascinating research projects and topical issues.

At the opening of the ILA Space Pavilion representatives of the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) explained the benefits of their space exploration projects.

The aerospace show highlighted the latest projects on topics that included sustainability, climate change, digitalisation, innovation, research, prevention and security.

According to Director General of the ESA Dr. Josef Aschbacher, for the ESA and the aerospace industry ILA was the most important event on the calendar altogether. “The slogan was ’Space for Earth’. It means our activities in space benefit the planet, climate and humanity overall.”

He was accompanied by the ESA astronauts Alexander Gerst and Dr. Matthias Maurer, who shared their experiences in space at the Astro Talks.

Head of the German Space Agency of the DLR and member of the DLR board, Dr. Walther Pelzer, highlighted the importance of data collected from space exploration. “Our exhibits demonstrated why we were in space, namely to make life on Earth better and more sustainable. Our experts explained what these satellites and various rockets achieved. The data we gained from space flight would help us to preserve life on Earth.”

As per Marco R. Fuchs, BDLI Vice President Aerospace, the Space Pavilion was a highlight of the show. “The point of the exhibition was to show that aviation and especially space flight was booming and that investing, particularly in ESA, was worthwhile,” he said.

Clean Aviation

At the Aviation Future Lab of ILA Berlin, seven technology heads from the European aviation industry gathered to discuss clean aviation of the future. The EU’s Clean Aviation Initiative is a pioneer of sustainable aviation research and innovation in Europe and is committed to meeting the aviation needs of an increasingly mobile and expanding population in the future.

Taking part in the panel discussion were Airbus Germany, represented by Vice President Research & Technology Nicole Dreyer-Langlet; Liebherr Aerospace Toulouse, represented by Managing Director Nathalie Duquesne; Rolls Royce, represented by Director Aerospace R&T Alan Newby; MTU Aero Engines, represented by COO Lars Wagner; Safran, represented by Senior Executive and Vice President Eric Dalbiès; the startup ZeroAvia, represented by Vice President Strategy James McMicking; and the aerospace research organisation of the Netherlands NLR, represented by Director General Michel Peters.

The panel members outlined their respective contributions to the European Clean Aviation programme on the way to achieving climate-neutral aviation by 2050. Among the measures were increasing efficiency in general, which has always been a routine part of international aviation for competitive reasons, hybrid- electric propulsion, sustainable aviation fuels, as well as hydrogen and fuel cell technology.

The panel members were unanimous that the main challenge was the speed necessary in order to achieve the climate goals demanded by policymakers on time. In the face of such big challenges, step-by-step evolutionary progress would no longer suffice and revolutionary

developments and disruptive ideas were needed. Attention had to shift from looking at individual sub-systems to recognising an aircraft as an overall system into which technically advanced and efficient components had to be integrated.

In that respect, propulsion systems were a decisive factor but only a part of the whole. Incorporating new materials and aerodynamic findings into the aircraft also played an important role. Nor could one ignore fuel supply logistics and scaling the production of sustainable aviation fuels as an interim technology.

Collaborating While Competing

Panel members at a session saw the balancing act of having to collaborate while at the same time compete with one another as being a challenge. This was what the European Clean Aviation Initiative represented.

Initial results were already to be expected in 2030, by which date the schedule demanded a 30 per cent increase in fuel efficiency on short and medium haul flights.

The seven experts at ILA Berlin were unanimous: “We can do it.”

Climate-neutral Aviation

The Aviation Future Lab began its work promptly on day one. In the three speeches by the BDLI, federal government and the European Commission there was agreement that the focus had to be on R&D projects driving the effort to achieve climate- neutral aviation in the EU.

Speaking first, BDLI Vice President, Equipment and Materials Dr. Gerardo Walle stressed how important aviation was for the global economy, together with the goal the sector had set itself for becoming climate-neutral by 2050.

“We all agree on this target“, said Walle. True to ILA Berlin’s slogan ‘Pioneering the Future’, he emphasised the “opportunity and obligation that Europe has to become a global leader on the way to climate neutrality.”

Managing the demands of climate protection and competitiveness Federal Government Aersopace Coordinator, Dr. Anna Christmann, reiterated the government’s declared aim to support the sector’s endeavours in Germany, the EU and the whole world to achieve climate neutrality, while taking into account the needs of a competition-oriented industry.

The federal government’s exhibition also made this clear. Christmann noted that the application process for the aviation research programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) was being revised with a view to more stringent decarbonisation and climate neutrality.

Hydrogen Power

At the Future Lab, the members of the panel discussion on the topic of hydrogen were unanimous that it had the capability to make aviation climate-neutral. However, they also agreed there were big challenges involved that required a joint global effort.

The technology already exists to put hydrogen to aviation use, whether in liquid or gas form, as a fuel cell for electric power or for driving modern gas turbines, as will be the case on large passenger aircraft. The wide- scale use of this technology while necessarily observing all the logistical and safety-relevant technical requirements of international aviation will entail big challenges and financial costs that should not be underestimated by anyone in science, industry, politics and administrations.

Cross-sectoral efforts in science and technology fields are already under way. Synergies with regard to hydrogen technology already exist in the automotive, maritime and aviation sectors. In this context the EU and national governments were expressly called upon to establish suitable frameworks and regulatory measures.

New Form of Transport

Representatives of politics and industry exchanged views on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Germany, the opportunities it presents and the hurdles involved.

The panel members discussed how the development of unmanned and electrically powered aerial vehicles could be accelerated as well as conceivable applications.

How about a ride from the airport to the city in an unmanned flying taxi? If Florian Reuter, CEO von Volocopter, has his way this will soon become reality. The Volocity his company has designed is a two-seater already successfully tested in several countries, which was also on show at ILA Berlin 2022.

Advanced Air Mobility

AAM covers more than the development of new aircraft. Taking part in a debate, experts examined what kind of infrastructure climate-neutral aircraft would require and how it could be integrated in cities.

Achieving climate-neutral aviation with alternative propulsion systems requires more than innovative aircraft. A corresponding infrastructure is needed too.

In that context, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) presented an extract of its new regulations for vertiports. These are landing pads for flying taxis, which subject to precautions could conceivably be installed in cities. The fact that these electric vehicles are low-noise would be a big advantage for inner-city use.

The aircraft manufacturer Airbus is working on several electrically powered models, including the experimental Vahana, which can fly unmanned, as well as the CityAirbus.

To make sure they can be used in the future the aircraft manufacturer is also working on a landing pad infrastructure. Here it would be important to cluster vertiports, as the company has demonstrated in the Brazilian metropolis of Sao Paolo.

Focus on SMEs

Five brief presentations impressively highlighted the wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represented at the International Suppliers Center:

Toolcraft is a 3D printing specialist based in Georgensgmünd, Bavaria, which also markets tailored turnkey robotic products, and with them the entire processing chain from the initial concept to production, as well as precision parts in CNC metal cutting, additive manufacturing and injection moulding and mould and die production.

Proxivison is based in Bensheim in the state of Hesse and a supplier of innovative optoelectronic products to OEM customers and consumers. The company specialises in UV solar blind detectors which are used both in a military environment and for inspecting high-voltage power lines.

The devices are lightweight, small and can be fully controlled online.

Astrofein from Adlershof develops, manufactures and tests space flight components and systems. The SME’s core business is small-scale satellites, position control, structures, mechanisms and payloads.

Astrofein is a leading manufacturer of reaction wheels featuring intelligent electronics for controlling the position of satellites weighing up to six tonnes. The 90 employees develop, manufacture and integrate the systems entirely in-house and have a 100 square-metre clean room at their disposal.

X2E Aerospace Technologies from Wildau in Brandenburg markets a particularly wide range of services, with a focus on collecting and processing aviation data. Its in-house developed logging device can store up to three Gigabits of data per second. It also deals with development and manufacturing services, testing on board its own research aircraft based in Strausberg, and everything to do with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Dessia is based in Antony, France, and has developed a special software tool for increasing efficiency in development processes, which has already been put to successful use by several companies in the aviation and automotive sectors.

Fighter Aircraft Symposium

A symposium on fighter aircraft, moderated by Brigadier General Holger Neumann, was introduced by a keynote speech from the Air Force’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who emphasised the obvious value of alliance and friendship within NATO.

In the future, including new weapon systems such as the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter, Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters and new ground-based air defence weapons, he said, the Air Force is making a clear commitment to defending NATO territory “wing to wing” together with the allies.

The central keywords of the following contributions included system of systems, interoperability, integration, automation and artificial intelligence.

As a representative of the scientific community, Prof. Wolfgang Koch described how existing civilian applications of artificial intelligence are currently influencing military use and will do so in the future - and vice versa.

Keywords such as swarming and gaming, which play an important role in the military, will also play a role in the civilian sector in the future. Data, algorithms, anthropocentrism and especially the interconnectedness of systems are just some of the pillars of military IT concepts.

Reference Text/Photo:

www.ila-berlin.de

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