Research and Technology

HAI has been participating in R&T programmes since the mid 1980s and is active in the European Community, European Defence Agency and European Spαce Agency Programmes, as well as National programs.

Research and Technology focuses in the following areas:

Aerospace Systems Research and Technology

Advanced Aircraft Design & Analysis Methods such as Fast Tools , Flow Simulation.
State of the Art Manufacturing Methods such as Composite Materials processing ( Resin Transfer Moulding, Liquid Resin Transfer, Autoclave process)
Nanotechnologies
Sensorised structures for Health Monitoring, Multifunctional and self morphing structures.
Repair Technologies (Bragg gratings, Composite Patch repair, surface treatment methods)

The R&T activity is supported by the Composite Materials Laboratory.

Composite Materials Laboratory

The main scope of the Composite Materials Laboratory is to implement Research and Development programs related to the design, manufacturing, production and testing of structural aeronautical components/prototypes. These components, destined for use in the aerospace industry and/or other aerospace applications, are designed, manufactured and evaluated by applying advanced methods, materials and processes.

Objectives of the Composite Material Laboratory

Applied & Product oriented Research.
Development of new processes for the manufacturing of aeronautical composite structures
Development of new NDI techniques.
Development of advanced repair methods in the scientific field of composite material patch repairs.
Know-how Transfer to production.

Current Research Projects - European Funded

JTI – CLEAN SKY.
HAI is an associated partner in the ECO Design and Green Regional Aircraft Platforms, focusing in environmentally friendly processes and low weight sensorized aerostructures respectively.

Also currently under implementation are the following programmes:

SPACE RTM Design and Manufacturing of ESA Satellite Components by RTM
NOESIS Design & Manufacturing of A/C components by LRI (Liquid Resin Infusion), using nano composites reinforced with Carbon Nano-Tubes (CNT) with improved mechanical properties & sensing/actuating capabilities.
ACFA Active Control for Flexible 2020 Aircraft
IMAC Industrialization of Manufacturing Technologies for Composite Profiles for aerospace applications

In addition the Laboratory is participating to other EU funded research projects such as the ESPRIT 20912 related to advanced mechatronics technology for turbine engine blades repair (AMATER) and BRITE EURAM-BRPR 1075 related to structural maintenance of ageing aircraft (SMAAC).

Completed Projects

Evaluation of the fatigue life limit of aerospace materials and components by Acoustic Emission. PAVE National funded project.
NDE-NDT for Maintenance of Structural Parts - Task: Ultrasounds BRITE-EURAM BE 58-79.
Diagnostics and Reliability of Composite Materials and Structures for Advanced Transportation Applications. HUMAN CAPITAL & MOBILITY - European Project.
Mechanical behavior and suitability study of advanced composite materials for use in primary aircraft structures. PAVE National funded project.
BRITE -EURAM BE – 97 409
Composite Material Repair for metallic structures of ageing commercial aircraft (COMPRES).
(EUCLID) - RTP 3.15
Resin Transfer Moulding Techniques
TANGO – GROWTH
Technology application to the Near-Term Business. Goals & Objectives of the Aerospace Industry .
EPET
Development of a repair method for ageing aircraft using reinforced composite patches.
ADSTREFF
Targeted Research Action In Advanced Structural Efficiency.

Electronics and Software Systems Research & Technology

Key technologies developed

Ad-Hoc sensor networks
Autonomous Systems
Data Fusion
Embedded Technologies
Smart Systems
IP and DTN Networks
RCS prediction

ARTEMIS (Advanced Research and Technology in EMbedded Intelligence Systems) Joint Undertaking

HAI has an active participation in the ARTEMIS JU and the Industrial Association comprising of approximately 150 Industrial, SME and Research entities, who is a member of the JU. HAI representative is elected in the Steering Board of the Association and participates in the industrial Research Committee of the Joint Undertaking.

Under the ARTEMIS platform HAI currently implements a number of near to market research programs

SMART: Reconfigurable smart sensors. HAi implements a use case for a smart surveillance system. Smart web site
CESAR: methods and tools for safety critical embedded systems. HAI implements a use case involving reconfigurable UAV systems.
R3COP: Autonomy for Unmanned systems. HAI implements a use case for an UUV autonomous system
SMECY: parallel algorithms for multicore processors. HAI implements a use case for efficient command control systems.
SIMPLE: sensor networks for monitoring industrial infrastructures. HAI implements the manufacturing scenario.
nSHIELD: deals with security and dependability issues of embedded systems.

EC Funded (FP7) Collaborative Research and Technology.

HAI is participating in a number of technology areas in the Transport including aeronautics, ICT and Security technology domains.

HAI currently implements the following programs:

ASPIS: Autonomous Surveillance in Public Infrastructure Systems. The technology developed is for Public Protection/Ad-hoc networks
TALOS: Transportable Autonomous patrol for Land Border Surveillance. The project will integrate technologies for Surveillance, Border Security, UGV Control & navigation, Communication Networks
TRIADE: Development of technology building blocks for structural health monitoring sensing devices in aeronautics. HAI develops and implements in a low power processor Neural Networks for monitoring of A/C structures.
CLEAN SKY: Development of wireless sensor network for health monitoring of structures and systems
SCARLET: scalable fault tolerant avionics. HAI develops a system for data over power applications in an aircraft environment
HIRF: design tool for HIRF (high intensity radiated field) environment
ATOM: Airport detection & tracking of dangerous materials with passive and active sensor arrays. HAi is involved in the communication networks and the integration to existing infrastructures.
VITRO: Virtual Sensor networks for secure and dependable applications. VITRO web site

HAI has recently completed the following programs:

SOBCAH: Surveillance of Borders Coastlines and Harbours
Methodologies, Technologies & Demonstration of Surveillance Systems for Borders, Coastlines and Harbours
PATIN: Protection of Air Transportation and Infrastructure
Networked infrastructures
SAFEE: Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment
Security of Aircraft Operation
FLYSAFE: Airborne Integrated Systems for Safety Improvement, Flight Hazard Protection and All Weather Operations
Flight Safety Systems
CASAM: Civil Aircraft Security Against MANPADS
Flight Safety/Security Systems - IR Countermeasures
AWISSENET: Ad-hoc PAN & WIreless Sensor SEcure NETwork
Secure Communications/Ad-hoc networks. AWISSENET web site

EDA funded collaborative programs

HAI has recently completed the feasibility study for an Unmanned Ground Tactical Vehicle, and participates in the ENEA project to start shortly that deals with Network Enabled Architectures for the Advanced Fighting Vehicle Initiative.

ESA funded programs

HAI has won in collaboration with DUTH a program to develop and implement a Delay tolerant network protocol to support space Internet applications. It has already completed Phase I and II (development of the protocol and a test bed) and is currently implementing Phase III which is designing the implementation of the protocol. As a follow on program the DISCOS is already approved and will implement security mechanisms in the DTN protocol.

NATO research and technology

HAI participates an NATO RTO program that deals with Radar Cross Section Prediction of non-cooperative targets. HAI is chares the particular RTO in the past 5 years.

The electronics and software systems is supported by fully equipped laboratories and software tools such as CATIA, MATLAB, DOORS, RHAPSODY, ELECTRE, ECLIPSE, Software Development tools, FPGA development tools, Network Simulators (OPNET, JSIM, NS2) and Measurement laboratories.