Aircraft Life Cycle Research Articles

Digital Twin Framework for Aircraft Lifecycle Management Based on Data-Driven Models

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for implementing digital twins in aircraft lifecycle management, with a focus on using data-driven models to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. The proposed framework integrates cutting-edge technologies such as IoT sensors, big data analytics, machine learning, 6G communication, and cloud computing to create a robust digital twin ecosystem. This paper explores the key components of the framework, including lifecycle phases, new technologies, and models for digital twins. It discusses the challenges of creating accurate digital twins during aircraft operation and maintenance and proposes solutions using emerging technologies. The framework incorporates physics-based, data-driven, and hybrid models to simulate and predict aircraft behavior. Supporting components like data management, federated learning, and analytics tools enable seamless integration and operation. This paper also examines decision-making models, a knowledge-driven approach, limitations of current implementations, and future research directions. This holistic framework aims to transform fragmented aircraft data into comprehensive, real-time digital representations that can enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability throughout the aircraft lifecycle.

Understanding no fault found event risk in military aircraft MRO planning: A step towards robust bidding and contract finalization

No fault found (NFF) is a reported fault for which the root cause cannot be found. An NFF event not only reduces the availability of the equipment to customers but also results in financial losses to the manufacturer. To date, risk due to NFF events is not considered separately in aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) planning. In this paper, we have studied the NFF event risk identification, distribution, and optimization in an aircraft MRO process based on data collected over three decades of aircraft maintenance. For framework development and formulating the critical NFF risk drivers, this paper applies soft system methodology with detailed semi-structured interviews of industry experts. For NFF risk distribution and optimization, we have used agent-based simulation modeling. The quantitative assessment of more than 5000 NFF cases in an aircraft MRO organization shows that NFF events are significantly non-deterministic during the life cycle of an aircraft. The three identified critical NFF risk drivers in the research are the MRO process stage, aircraft life cycle stage, and human working skills. The MRO process stage is the time of the NFF event during repair activity. The life cycle stage represents the timeline of the NFF event in useful aircraft life. Human working skill represents the role of manpower in the NFF event solution. Further theoretical elaborations of the research lead to the optimized NFF risk break-up at the contract preparation stage and risk driver's sensitivity analysis by the aircraft assembler, operator, and sub-contractor at the commercial bid submission stage.

Digital twins in aircraft production and MRO: challenges and opportunities

The digital twin (DT) concept, value-adding connecting the real and digital world, has been a rising trend in recent years, while the implementation and observation of challenges are still subject to research. Implementations of holistic Digital Twins of tangible and intangible assets of complex products or processes are often ideal-theoretic; instead, only subsystems and processes are replicated, which digital representations serve specific, meaningful applications. Specifically, with its distinct characteristics, the aviation industry and its production show various future application scenarios, which we use case-driven outline in this work. Therefore, we first summarize common, industry-neutral challenges of implementing Digital Twins and give an overview of aircraft production characteristics. Then, we will outline different fields of utilizing the Digital Twin concept and highlight integrational, organizational, and compliance-related challenges as well as opportunities in the context of aircraft production and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO). The use cases are located at different aircraft life cycle phases, from production system development, production supplying logistics, and Quality Assurance (QA) up to retrofit.

Method for Executing Digital System Models and Digital Twins at Scale to Enrich Fleet Health Management

The digitization of the aviation industry brings the promise of increased transparency into the engineering design across aircraft lifecycles. With an increased focus on Model-Based Engineering, design engineers are constructing interoperable, standardized simulation models which can be leveraged across the Digital Thread. This advancement presents an opportunity to improve health management and prognostics by directly comparing these models against in-service data. This paper proposes a method for leveraging engineering Digital System Models and Digital Twins at-scale to facilitate and enrich health management activities. Supporting considerations include specifying model standards and ingesting fleet-level data using cloud computing.

Condition-Based Maintenance in Aviation: Challenges and Opportunities

Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is a policy that uses information about the health condition of systems and structures to identify optimal maintenance interventions over time, increasing the efficiency of maintenance operations. Despite CBM being a well-established concept in academic research, the practical uptake in aviation needs to catch up to expectations. This research aims to identify challenges, limitations, solution directions, and policy implications related to adopting CBM in aviation. We use a generalizable and holistic assessment framework to achieve this aim, following a process-oriented view of CBM development as an aircraft lifecycle management policy. Based on various inputs from industry and academia, we identified several major sets of challenges and suggested three primary solution categories. These address data quantity and quality, CBM implementation, and the integration of CBM with future technologies, highlighting future research and practice directions.

Criterion Basis for Assessment of Transport Aircrafts Modifications by Cost Indicators

The subject of research in the paper is the process of forming a criterion base to evaluate the effectiveness of carrying out modification changes in a transport category aircraft. The goal is to develop supporting criteria for making decisions regarding the expediency of modification changes, namely, during design, during production, and at the stage of its operation, at each stage of the life cycle of a new transport category aircraft. The complexity of the task lies in the need to develop a model for evaluation of the consequences of changing the aircraft for each stage separately, which would collectively determine the integral effectiveness of its modification. To evaluate the efficiency of basic aircrafts in operation, there are a number of economic indicators of their efficiency, in particular, the cost of an aircraft hour and the transportation of one ton of cargo per one kilometer, which are only partially taken into account when analyzing the efficiency of aircraft modifications, although in the case of aircraft transport category, specific cost criteria for the entire life cycle both for the base aircraft and for its modification is required. For their development, a method of estimating the cost of the entire life cycle of the aircraft is proposed, as well as a method of dividing modification changes according to the parameters of the upper level (PMD), which is used at the stage of designing the devices, and the lower level (PPO) for the operational stage. On the basis of and taking into account the specifics of the specified methods, indicators of additional labor costs that arise during the implementation of modification changes in the conditions of production and at the stage of aircraft operation have been developed. The proposed criteria take into account indicators of the transport efficiency of heavy aircraft modifications and the integral efficiency of the modification, taking into account the costs at all the main stages of the life cycle of the modification. The scientific novelty of the obtained results is as follows: the supporting criteria for the adoption of decisions regarding the expediency of modification changes at each stage of the life cycle of a new transport category aircraft are proposed, i.e. during design, under the conditions of production and at the stage of its operation. Such criteria will ensure the integral efficiency of the transport aircraft modification.

Aircraft maintenance and repair using “Mobile complex of unified aircraft repair facilities”

This paper presents a projected model of aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) using “Mobile Complex of Unified Aircraft Repair Facilities” (MCARF). MRO using MCARF is part of the “Before Failure Detection” and “As Conditioned” MRO strategies. The MRO project with MCSM allows building a concept of control of the aircraft life cycle stage - operation in conditions of rapid response to current aircraft repair needs, in the presence of limitations in the required maintenance and repair facilities and the possibility of their rapid delivery.

REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE INFORMATION SECURITY PROCESS OF THE AIRCRAFT’S LIFE CYCLE COMPONENT

In recent years a number of significant changes have taken place in the field of control, regulation and management in the development processes, manufacture and aircraft’s operation, new international requirements and standards in the field of ensuring flight safety have been put into effect. Large-scale implementation of information technologies in the supporting the technical operation processes of aircraft and monitoring safety of aviation activity is being carried out.
 The analysis of modern views on the provision in the information component of the aircraft life cycle indicates the need to build such an information and analytical system which will be based on the software-modular principle and will allow through separate modules, information and analytical data to be used by the appropriate categories of specialists in their areas of professional activity.
 This article is devoted to consideration of the expediency and necessity of building a loss-modular information- analytical system and some of the latest approaches to reduce the negative impact on the operation of aircraft’s during their life cycle of such factors as the time interval of decision-making which in turn has a direct impact on safety flights. At the same time, the issues of tasks formation in the information provision and supporting process’ development, manufacture and subsequent mass long-term operation of newly created and promising aviation equipment are considered aimed at the further development of innovative approaches to the provision of a complex interdisciplinary system of support for the technical and aircraft’s flight-technical operation during their lifetime cycle.

ENTEGRE LOJİSTİK DESTEK SİSTEMİNİN ÖMÜR DEVRİ YÖNETİMİNE ETKİSİ

The Life Cycle is defined as a process that begins with the demonstration of an intended ability and ends when it becomes out of use. Extending the life cycle will reduce costs and increase efficiency.Integrated Logistics Support (ILS); It increases the service life of the products and minimizes the need for support; In this way, it provides financial benefit by reaching higher gains in the long term. Due to the understanding of these benefits, it is a system that is frequently applied by businesses. By successfully applying ILS, the life cycle of aircraft, systems, tools and equipment is extended and costs are reduced.The aim of the study; A product or a system integrated to provide maximum use of the opportunity at minimal cost by extending the life cycle of the Logistics Support Turkey is to identify and remedy the causes of failure of the application.Fieldwork method and interview technique were used in the study. The reasons for the failure of the Integrated Logistics Support application on the life cycle have been identified through a study on aircraft. It has been determined;The positive effect of Integrated Logistics Support especially extends the life cycle, prevents premature modification, prevents price increases in spare parts supply, facilitates the availability of spare parts, facilitates the provision of technical documentation, provides planning and execution of personnel training, and the problems of supplying special tools with the system or vehicle.

Vibrodiagnostic of aircraft hydraulic emergency hydrogenerator NP 27T

The safety of operation and the extension of the aircraft life cycle cannot be ensured without the use of methods and means of technical diagnostics. Monitoring and diagnostics of the technical condition of aircraft components is therefore one of the most important task.The main problem being addressed is the monitoring of the manifestations of the incipient degradation of piston hydraulic pumps, which are critical elements in terms of flight safety.The main research question is: what changes in the physical parameters occur in the process of degradation of the hydraulic pump components and how they affect the life cycle of the pump?The research methodology is based on quantitative methods of data obtained by measuring the physical parameters of the pump such as vibration, acoustic emissions, flow and fluid pressure and temperature.The obtained results show that there is agreement of the initial degradation manifestations, but only for certain physical parameters of the hydraulic pump. This finding is significant in that the outlet pressure from the pump does not necessarily signal the initial stage of its degradation. From the point of view of the safety of the hydraulic system and the mission of the aircraft, we consider this to be an important and originality knowledge.

System Identification of Two-Dimensional Transonic Buffet

When modeled within the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes framework, the shock wave dynamics on a two-dimensional airfoil at transonic buffet conditions is characterized by time-periodic oscillations. Given the time series of the lift coefficient at different angles of attack for the OAT15A supercritical profile, the Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy) technique is used to extract a parameterized, interpretable, and minimal-order description of this dynamics. For all the operating conditions considered, SINDy infers that the dynamics in the lift-coefficient time series can be modeled by a simple parameterized Stuart–Landau oscillator, reducing the computation time from hundreds of core hours to seconds. The identified models are then supplemented with equally parameterized low-dimensional dynamic mode decomposition based state observers enabling real-time estimation of the whole flowfield from the predicted lift. The value of this simple model is in the possibility of enriching sparse data sets in the buffet regime for new geometries. Only a few unsteady simulations need to be performed to adjust the coefficients of the identified model and then supplement the data set with new cases. Simplicity, accuracy, and interpretability make the identified model an attractive tool toward the construction of real-time systems to be used during the design, certification, and operational phases of the aircraft life cycle.

Model of aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul using artificial neural networks

The paper presents a designed model of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) of an aircraft with a predictive maintenance unit. The use of an artificial neural network is provided as a maintenance tool. Predictive maintenance with an artificial neural network is part of the MRO strategy "Before the fault is detected". The MRO project with predictive maintenance will allow to build the concept of conducting an in-depth analysis before choosing a strategy for controlling the stage of the aircraft life cycle - aircraft operation.

Holistic approaches and advanced technologies in aviation product recycling

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze existing policies, methods and technologies, which are aimed at the rational and proper handling of decommissioned aviation transport means, determination of the world trends and substantiation of the prospects for implementation of utilization and recycling programs in the aviation industry. This research is devoted to problems of utilization and recycling of decommissioned aircraft and its components: features of proper handling of aviation industry vehicles are considered; the analysis of existing methods and technologies aimed at the rational and correct handling of the end-of-life aircraft is carried out; the necessity of the introduction of the system of complex utilization of aviation equipment is substantiated; the ecological and economic problems connected with the utilization and recycling of aviation vehicles, their units and units are considered; and the relevance and feasibility of introducing recycling programs in the field of aviation industry waste management are substantiated.Design/methodology/approachProblems of utilization and recycling of decommissioned aircraft and its components are considered in this research. The analysis of existing methods and technologies aimed at the rational and correct handling of the end-of-life aircraft is carried out. In addition to this, the ecological and economic problems connected with the utilization and recycling of aviation vehicles, their units and parts are considered. Moreover, the relevance and feasibility of introducing recycling programs in the field of aviation industry waste management are substantiated.FindingsIn this study, the life cycle of aircraft is carried out and analyzed. The existing methodologies and approaches to end-of-life aircraft recycling and utilization are presented in this paper. The experience of the leading organizations in the sphere of decommissioned aircraft recycling, such as Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association and Process for Advanced Management of End-of-Life Aircraft, are considered as well. Environmental and economical benefits to aviation and neighbor industries, arising from the introduction of aircraft recycling systems, are shown.Originality/valueThe existing experience of leading companies in the aviation and aircraft recycling industry is accumulated and analyzed to show and propose the general methodology for the development and implementation methodology of end-of-life aircraft recycling and utilization.

Research on Civil Aircraft Direct Maintenance Cost Analysis and Optimization Based on Data Mining

Civil aircraft maintenance cost is an important indicator to measure the maintainability and economy of civil aircraft, and it accounts for a considerable proportion of aircraft operating costs. Data mining technology can unearth potentially high-value data from massive aircraft operating data. In this paper, aiming at the problem that there are very few actual aircraft maintenance data that can be effectively used in the development stage of civil aircraft, the research on the direct maintenance cost analysis and optimization method of civil aircraft based on data mining is carried out. The theoretical basis of direct maintenance cost analysis based on data mining is studied, the factors affecting the direct maintenance cost of civil aircraft are analyzed based on data mining, and the DMC analysis method is established. On the basis of the above research, the direct maintenance cost analysis model of civil aircraft was established and optimized to achieve the goal of reducing direct maintenance costs. It is of great significance for reducing aircraft life cycle costs and improving aircraft market competitiveness.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC EFFECT OF INNOVATION AT THE STAGES OF THE AIRCRAFT LIFE CYCLE

The article presents the concept of information-functional communication of technological innovations with a block of indicators of economic impact in the early stages of the aircraft life cycle, based on quantitative changes in technical indicators and operational perfection of aircraft systems.

A Review of The Development of Civil Aircraft Family

The development of product family has become a major trend in industrial product research and development, which can meet the needs of market segments, shorten research and development time, reduce research and development costs, and quickly increase market share. The development of civil aircraft family is one of the important characteristics of modern civil aircraft design, which can bring significant economic benefits for aircraft life cycle. In order to meet the needs of the market and realize cost reduction and efficiency increase, the development of civil aircraft family has become the main direction of the development of modern civil aircraft, which has attracted widespread attention, and the major aircraft manufacturers have formed their own series of civil aircraft. Focusing on the development of civil aircraft family, this paper reviews the development of product family, the design of civil aircraft family and the development status of typical civil aircraft family in the field of civil aircraft. Then the challenges and future research directions of civil aircraft family are summarized and discussed.

Aircraft life cycle management system architecture for solving cost management tasks

The article is devoted to cost management issue in the aircraft life cycle management system. In a theoretical analysis, the authos consider the main cost management components, the main automated systems used in the modern integrated information space and the universal scheme of using automated systems at product life cycle different stages for effective cost management problems solving. The research part of the article is based on production cost management scheme development, as well as the aircraft life cycle management system architecture formation, which allows solving cost management tasks, including during aircraft operation phase.

Towards Information Management Framework for Digital Twin in Aircraft Manufacturing

Aircraft manufacturing industries often evolve in the ecosystem of complex designs and manufacturing processes associated with large volume of information generated along the lifecycle. Digital Twin (DT) technology has the potential of leveraging such information to provide useful insights benefiting the overall business in many ways. Information Management (IM) for DT is still an ongoing challenge for many industries, thus leaving a considerable research gap. In this paper, an IM framework for DT in the aircraft manufacturing sector is proposed. The key phases and elements of IM are discussed on which the framework is constructed. The potential application of the framework along aircraft lifecycle is further discussed. The framework not only provides an effective approach to managing information but also opens new research prospects in DT domain.

Electromagnetic Occlusion Algorithm Based on FPGA and Panel Grouping and Its Optimization

With the development of digital signal processing and advanced algorithms, real‐time signal processing based on FPGA and DSP is suitable for high‐speed radar signal processing. With the rapid development of science and technology, war has entered the information age guided by high technology, and advanced science and technology has played a vital role in the trend of war. In recent years in the modern war, many countries invest a lot of research effort on the stealth technology, and advanced stealth technology can use a variety of technical means to alter or weaken the feature information of the target, confuse the enemy radar detection system effectively, reduce the chance of being detected to the largest extent, and prolong the lifecycle of aircraft and weapons. This research mainly discusses the electromagnetic occlusion algorithm and its optimization based on FPGA and panel grouping. The FPGA model selected for this study is XC6VLX240T‐1FF1156I. Because the amount of data processed here is not very large, the cache part directly uses the on‐chip storage resources of the FPGA, and the AD device is used to perform analog‐to‐digital/digital‐to‐analog conversion on the signal and perform digital up‐down conversion. For a facet, it is necessary to first verify whether it is a bright facet and set the flag to mark it, then the facet needs to be occluded with the triangular facet marked as a bright facet, and all bright facets that have been marked need to be traversed. Open MP parallelization of the occlusion algorithm is as follows: The physical optics method is used to calculate the target RCS, and the focus of parallelism is placed on the part with a large amount of calculation. When using Open MP to design a program on a multicore computer, each group is assigned a thread to give full play to the core computing power. The total field is scattered and superimposed by each surface element. This part uses the parallel processing mode of Open MP, which allows the panel judgment in the group to be carried out at the same time. This part requires schedule to allocate resources and use different parallel mechanisms for different calculations to optimize debugging. In the angular range where there is multiple scattering at 0° ≤ φ ≤ 90°, the calculation results and the measurement results are in good agreement, and when the two planes are simulated with 1820 triangular faces, the fast multiple scattering in this paper only needs 4 minutes. This research has realized the general radar signal processing method based on FPGA structure, and the design has important engineering realization significance.

Extending Model-Based Systems Engineering into Integrated Platform Designed for Civil Aircraft Develop

With the continuous development and application of modeling technology, civil aircraft designers urgently need to apply model-based systems engineering (MBSE) theory and methods into the field of civil aircraft development. However, the existing modeling tools, which combined with MBSE methodologies, only focus on one particular area, such as requirement modeling, functional modeling and design synthesis. This kind of low coupling design system makes it difficult to link the upstream and downstream designers in the early stage of system development. This paper introduces the MBSE development process of civil aircraft and then establishes an integrated platform composed of six work stations for civil aircraft development based on this process. Commercially available modeling tools, such as IBM Rational DOORS and enterprise architect (EA), are conducted in the platform. The development of flight control system is taken as an example to test the feasibility and efficiency of our integrated platform in logic layer. This platform can complete the activities of aircraft life cycle function analysis, requirement and model management. The loose coupling between the modules and the high cohesive nature allows different system engineers to maintain their design independence and consistency at different stages of development.