Focus areas

Royal NLR plays a leading role in the field of aerospace in the Netherlands, as the connecting link between science, business, society and government. As a knowledge organisation for applied research, we occupy a central position in the valorisation process, transforming knowledge into value. Our goal is for the result of our research to have a societal and economic impact through the development of practical applications. We make this possible through sustainable innovation, by developing knowledge about clean solutions and safety and security in the aerospace domain, and making this accessible to the aerospace industry. In this way, together with the Dutch aerospace industry, we help to maintain a prosperous society and make a meaningful contribution towards a clean, safe and better future world.

NLR strategic themes 2022-2025

NLR has three strategic themes in which we want to make a lasting, long-term impact: Sustainable Aviation, Competitive Aerospace and Safe and Secure Society. To accomplish this, we have set ourselves concrete, ambitious goals. The NLR strategic programmes are multidisciplinary and cross-divisional programmes which, together with our knowledge base, contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the three themes.

Sustainable aviation

If climate neutral aviation is to become a reality, we need to commit to the development of radical innovations.

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Competitive aerospace

New products and markets are emerging to address issues such as the living environment, accessibility and sustainable air transport.

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Safe and secure society

A technologically
advanced military
is vitally important.

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Discover the NLR strategic programmes

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 […]

Impact on people and society

Programme Impact on people and society In today’s world, aviation plays an important role in transporting goods and connecting people all over the globe. At the same time, aviation causes noise nuisance and greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming. Due to its own success, the sector has moved further away from society and the […]

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 […]