Â鶹´«Ã½AV has secured a funded part in a multinational research programme into the design and operation of testbeds towards next generation airliners.
This includes four fully funded 3-year PhD studentships at Â鶹´«Ã½AV.
- Propulsion technologies for next generation airliner testbeds.
The project aims to design a blended wing body aircraft subscale demonstrator aircraft with particular focus on the low-speed aerodynamics. The work will include vehicle conceptual design, preliminary design of the systems and structure, and how these aircraft will be operated and certified. The scale of the vehicle will be determined early in the project and be minimised to reduce costs while being sufficiency large to enable the validity of the experiments in informing a full-scale vehicle.
Research activities include:
- Close cooperation with project partners.
- Aircraft conceptual design and systems preliminary design, including propulsion specification and integration.
- Teamworking with other aircraft designers by providing aircraft design data and/or aerodynamic analysis.
- Conduct multi-disciplinary design optimisation by developing and deploying Â鶹´«Ã½AV’s software tools and CAD.
These PhD projects will contribute to an international project which aims to develop capabilities in flying demonstrators. Aircraft designs will be for flying demonstrators, to progress the development of future environmentally friendly airliners. The output of the project will include preliminary design of high aspect ratio wing and blended wing body aircraft, and the Â鶹´«Ã½AV team is focused on the latter, within a larger international team.
These PhD projects will help develop preliminary aircraft designs, with the aim of those being taken forward to a sub-scale demonstrator detailed design for low-speed aerodynamics analysis in future flight trials. The aims are: -
- Aerodynamic studies to establish a suitable sub-scale to investigate through flight test beyond state-of-the-art, the low-speed aerodynamics, stability and control of a 400-passenger blended wing body aircraft. To conduct aerodynamic, stability and control analysis of the designed sub-scale aircraft.
- To develop a sub-scale blended wing body vehicle through aircraft conceptual and preliminary design of systems including propulsion system integration and novel cycle design.
- To develop best practices in how these testbeds can be legally built, tested, and where appropriate – certified.
At a glance
- Application deadline04 Dec 2024
- Award type(s)PhD
- Start date27 Jan 2025
- Duration of award3 year
- EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world
- Reference numberSATM526, SATM527, SATM528 and SATM529
Entry requirements
Candidates should have a 2:1 or better honours degree in a relevant subject such as aerospace engineering, propulsion engineering, aerospace systems engineering, or mechanical engineering with aeronautics. They should ideally have a demonstrated history of interest in aircraft design or operations. Postgraduate masters degree, or equivalent industry experience in a relevant subject would be highly favoured. The normal place of work and study will be the Cranfield campus in Bedfordshire.
Funding
Sponsored by the project funder, this studentship will provide a bursary for living expenses of £21,000pa (tax free) in addition to a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and project related expenses, including attending at least one relevant conference where the student will present their work.Cranfield Doctoral Network
Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.
How to apply
If you are eligible and would like to apply for one of the research opportunities, please complete the online application form.
SATM526
PhD title - Next generation aircraft certification and testbed legal basis
Supervisor - Dr Guy Gratton
SATM527
PhD title - Subsonic testbed requirements and design for Blended Wing Body airliner scale testbeds
Supervisor - Dr Craig Lawson
SATM528
PhD title - Propulsion technologies for next generation airliner testbeds
Supervisor - Dr Neys Schreiner
SATM529
PhD title - BWB Testbed aerodynamic analysis and relationship to future airliners
Supervisor - Professor Simon Prince
For further information please contact the supervisor team or Admissions.
