Competitive aerospace

The integrated approach to challenges around accessibility, living environment and sustainable air transport is fostering the emergence of new products and markets, which are strengthening the competitive position of the Netherlands. NLR helps governmental authorities, the aviation sector and society to ensure aviation operations remain competitive, now and in the future, and to make civil and military aviation, and society, safer.

The aviation sector is on the verge of a profound transformation, driven by both an increasing demand for air transport and the need for sustainability. NLR plays a key role through ground-breaking innovations. Competitive Aerospace theme is closely linked to the two other strategic themes, ‘Sustainable Aviation’ and ‘Safe and Secure Society’. A major challenge is the transition to sustainable aviation technologies, with the aim of flying climate-neutral by 2050. However, NLR is committed to drastically reducing CO₂ emissions through projects such as the ‘Aviation in Transition’ programme. This programme, funded by the National Growth Fund, explores innovative solutions for sustainable aviation and supports the transition to climate neutral flying. Within this programme, NLR works with industrial partners, universities and colleges to achieve technological breakthroughs.

Bert Thuis, Vice President of the Aerospace Vehicles division

‘In addition to hydrogen, we are also exploring other sustainable alternatives. We are keeping all options open and working on flexible test facilities and research programmes that will enable us to respond quickly to new technological developments. Our recently developed ‘Energy to Propulsion’ test facility is an example of how we can anticipate new technologies and test them in practice’.

Discover the strategic programmes related to this theme

Climate-neutral aviation

Programme Climate-neutral aviation In 2050 the aviation industry, with its knowledge and economic influence, must comply with and contribute towards achieving the Dutch and European climate objectives and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.  Aviation will be cleaner and quieter, thereby having less of an impact on the climate and environment. With the programme Climate-neutral […]

Safe and competitive operations 

Programme Safe and competitive operations The aerospace sector has had to deal with several major disruptions in recent years (for instance COVID-19 and the consequent downsizing of operations and then later scaling them up again, staff shortages, economic developments and the war in Ukraine). It is also a sector that is highly sensitive to political […]

Development of air and space vehicles

Programme Development of air and space vehicles NLR wants to enable the Dutch aerospace industry to have a competitive share from 2025 – 2050 in the development and production of the next generation low emission aircraft, in programmes for the next generation helicopters, in new small satellites, launchers and space applications, and in new flight […]

Operational availability

Programme Operational availability NLR supports Defence, the aviation industry, MRO and maintenance companies and airlines in the development and application of innovative, sustainable solutions for maintenance, inspection and repair. In this way, NLR wants to contribute to the optimisation of the material availability and the cost effective use of aircraft, helicopters, drones, wind turbines and […]

Information-driven operations

Programme Information-driven operations NLR supports the Dutch government in accelerating the transformation of its operational concepts and systems into information-driven operations. The focus lies on the tactical and operational processes within the aerospace domain. The goal is to speed up these processes, on the basis of better informed decisions. “ Data is indispensable for a […]

Future air & space power

Programme Future air & space power In this programme, NLR is building a leading knowledge position in the field of training and simulation, making aerospace part of information-driven, multidomain and integrated operations. We do this together with our national and international (EU, NATO) partners. The focus lies on knowledge of threat systems and technology, the […]

Unmanned and autonomous 

Programme Unmanned and autonomous  Drones are a key enabler for innovative solutions to tackle rapidly changing societal, economic and security challenges. For the Netherlands to play a role in this, the government and Dutch industry, including start-ups and SMEs, must be able to create innovative drone solutions, platforms and systems in a safe, sustainable and […]

Emerging technologies

Programme Emerging technologies This programme is the breeding ground for new technologies and ideas within NLR. NLR invests in technologies of the future that are widely deployable for NLR and that could have a huge impact on the way that we live, learn, work and produce. Consider, for instance, virtualisation, digitisation, automation, AR/VR, (explainable) artificial […]