Officially launched on 1st December 2024, the pAlramid project aims to transform the aerospace industry with its revolutionary approach to composite aerostructures certification. Supported by nearly €5 million from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D5-01) under Grant Agreement No. 101192736, this 45-month initiative leverages artificial intelligence (Al) to streamline aerostructure design, development, and certification, replacing costly and time-consuming physical tests with a groundbreaking digital framework of high-fidelity virtual testing tools.

 

Breaking barriers in aerostructure certification

The project, titled “Al-based testing pyramid towards virtual certification of next-gen composite aerostructures”, aims to replace the current sequential and labour-intensive aircraft certification pyramid with a digital, interconnected approach. By employing Al and data-driven simulations, pAlramid enables faster de cision-making, reduced physical te sting, and optimised resource use while maintaining stringent safety and performance standards. The project will test its methodologies through four industrial use case s, each addressing critical components of modern aerostructures. These include a vertical stabiliser box fairing and an aircraft door structure, as well as two versions of a wing leading edge, manufactured using advanced thermoplastic and thermoset composites. These demonstrators will showcase the versatility and effectiveness of the virtual testing framework in real-world applications, paving the way for faster market deployment. These demonstrators not only provide proof of concept but also aim to advance technologies in functionalised materials and sustainable manufacturing processes. By the project’s end, these components will achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, marking significant progress toward their potential deployment in future aircraft.

 

A collaborative effort across Europe

Led by IKERLAN S. COOP (Spain), pAlramid brings together a diverse consortium of 13 part ners from seven countries. This multidisciplinary team includes research institutions, industrial manufacturers, and experts in materials, processes, and Al-driven tools, collectively addressing the complexities of modern aerospace challenges. The consortium i ncludes expert s in composite materials and manufacturing proce sses – Institut de Recherche Technologique Jules Verne (France), lnstituto de Ciência e lnovaçao em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia lndustrial (Portugal), Fundaci6n GAIKER (Spain), MECA S.A.R.L. (France), and Universitat de Girona (Spain), spe cialist s in digital tools and integration – Brunel University London {United Kingdom) and LKS S. Coop (Spain), and aerostructure manufacturers – Turkish Aerospace (Turkey), POTEZ Aéronautique (France), Koninklijke Fabriek lnventum B.V. (Netherlands), and SOFITEC Aero S.L. (Spain). Finally, Zabala Innovation Brussels (Belgium) leads the disse mination, communication, and exploitation activities, ensuring the project’ s outreach and impact across key stakeholders.

 

A transformative vision for the aerospace industry

pAlramid aims to accelerate the development and deployment of lightweight, sustainable aerostructures by making the certification process more efficient and reliable. The tools and methods developed in this project will not only reduce costs and timelines but also enable the adoption of advanced materials and processes, setting a new standard for the industry. By addressing the growing need for sustainable and efficient solutions in aviation, pAlramid aligns with Europe’s goals for climate-neutral aviation by 2050. With its innovative approach and strong consortium, the project is poised to make a lasting impact on the aerospace industry and beyond.

 

Read the press release here