The DISC-AER laboratory, common to the SMS / LGF UMR CNRS 5307 center and the EENUEE startup, is among the winners of the 2024 Labcom programme of the French National Research Agency (ANR).
The DISC-AER laboratory offers an ideal collaborative framework for the research and development of the innovative fuselage of the GEN-ee, a 19-seater ‘flying wing’ type electric regional transport aircraft designed by the innovative Saint-Étienne-based company EENUEE.
The introduction of latest-generation composite materials to create this unprecedented load-bearing fuselage attracted the jury’s attention.
The environmental footprint of GEN-ee’s manufacturing therefore promises to be reduced, thanks in particular to:
- the modular design/manufacturing (reduced tooling) of aerostructures
- their low-energy-cost processing (ambient temperature)
- their assembly/disassembly (repair, autogenous welding)
- the recyclability/reuse of the materials (resin and fibers) used
The Blended-Wing-Body configuration (integrated wing body) should also improve aerodynamic performance and reduce energy consumption by 40%.
From 2024-2029, the €2 million research programme will involve 5 faculty researchers from MPE/SMS and EENUEE’s growing teams.
Material investments are also planned, and 4 theses will be conducted during this period, including 3 Industrial Agreements for Training through Research (CIFRE).
Photo: EENUEE
