ATLAS is a national research initiative within the German aviation research program LuFo VII-1 KTF, which is scheduled to run from October 2025 to September 2028 and comprises a consortium of nine universities and three research institutions. The aim is to systematically support the transformation to climate-neutral long-haul aviation with entry into service in 2040–2045.
Background
Long-haul flights account for around 10% of the commercial fleet, but cause around 35% of kerosene consumption and provide 40% of transport services. Consequently, this market segment offers enormous leverage potential for reducing CO₂ emissions. At the same time, technological, operational, and infrastructural transformation processes are complex and intertwined, which is why an integrated system approach is needed to avoid conflicting goals and exploit synergies.
Project Goals
Development of a publicly accessible simulation and evaluation platform that holistically maps the climate impacts of new technologies and operational measures
Derivation of transparent, practical recommendations on technology combinations and resulting aircraft concepts for the next generation of long-haul aircraft (EIS 2040–2045)
Establishing a national scouting and initial assessment process to identify disruptive early-stage technologies with long-term transformation potential
Expected Outcomes
At the end of the project, powerful software tools and methodological guidelines will be available to facilitate evidence-based discussion on the benefits, risks, and trade-offs of individual technologies. ATLAS will thus provide concrete recommendations for action to achieve a climate-neutral aviation system by 2050.
Role of IFAS
The aim of the research work at IFAS is to analyze the aerothermodynamic sensitivity and performance of open-rotor engines in the three phases, particularly for long-range missions. This involves designing optimized blade geometries and analyzing the integrated open-rotor propulsor in the context of various aircraft configurations. Another integral part of this research is the implementation of a mission-specific emission model in the engine model in order to provide not only performance parameters but also relevant framework conditions for assessing climate impacts.
