ULTIMATE is a Collaborative Project co-funded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
The ULTIMATE proposal addresses the topic breakthrough innovation for European aviation.
The main objective of the project is ensuring sustainability of air transport while accommodating a growing market and environmental targets leads to a number of challenges. To meet these challenges the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) has agreed on a strategic research and innovation agenda defining ambitious long term targets. In particular, to reach the 2050 target of a 75% reduction of energy consumption and CO2-emissions, the historical pace of an annual 2% improvement will still leave another 30% reduction to be found. Technologies in the middle of the development process, i.e. currently at TRL 3-5 and expected to enter into service after 2025 cannot close this gap. Thus, there is a clear need of synergetic breakthrough technologies for every part of the air transport system, including the airframe, propulsion and power.
ULTIMATE will identify and develop innovative propulsion system configurations with a potential to fulfil the Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) key challenges relating to European industrial leadership, prioritizing research, the environment and the energy supply, as well as meeting the impact of market needs and flight safety requirements.