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 (IRT Jules Verne, Bouguenais) announced the official launch of the pAIramid project in December 2024. Supported by nearly €5 million from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D5-01) under Grant Agreement No. 101192736, this 45-month initiative leverages artificial intelligence (Al) to streamline composite aerostructure design, development and certification, replacing costly and time-consuming physical tests with a groundbreaking digital framework of high-fidelity virtual testing tools.

The project, titled “Al-based testing pyramid toward virtual certification of next-gen composite aerostructures,” aims to replace the current sequential and labor-intensive aircraft certification pyramid with a digital, interconnected approach. By employing Al and data-driven simulations, pAlramid wil reportedly enable faster decision-making, reduced physical testing and optimized resource use while maintaining stringent safety and performance standards.

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The project will test its methodologies through four industrial use cases, each addressing critical components of modern aerostructures. These include a vertical stabilizer box fairing and an aircraft door structure, as well as two versions of a wing leading edge, manufactured using 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. By the project’s end, these components will achieve technology readiness level (TRL) 4, marking progress toward their potential deployment in future aircraft.

Led by research institute Ikerlan S. Coop (Spain), pAlramid brings together a diverse consortium of 13 partners 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 also includes experts in composite materials and manufacturing processes, specialists in digital tools and integration and aerostructure manufacturers:

• IRT Jules Verne (France)
• Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI, Portugal)
• Fundaci6n Gaiker (Spain)
• Meca S.A.R.L. (France)
• University of Girona (Spain)
• Brunel University London (U.K.)
• LKS S. Coop (Spain)
• Turkish Aerospace (Turkey)
• Potez Aéronautique (France)
• Koninklijke Fabriek lnventum B.V. (Netherlands)
• Sofitec Aero S.L. (Spain).

Zabala Innovation Brussels (Belgium) leads dissemination, communication and exploitation activities, ensuring the project’s outreach and impact across key stakeholders.