Innovative fuel storage system explored in DEFENDER project

The DEFENDER project, part of Clean Sky 2’s Fast Rotorcraft technology platform, recently passed its Critical Design Review (CDR) in a key step forward for the Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor (NextGenCTR) demonstrator.

DEFENDER aims to develop, manufacture, test, and qualify an innovative next generation fuel storage system with advanced features, to be integrated into the demonstrator. Looking to the next generation of helicopters and aircrafts, results achieved within the project will allow significant benefits in terms of weight, reduction of manufacturing and maintenance costs, and safety improvements.

On 16-18 December, the consortium (Politecnico Di Torino, Step Sud Mare Srl, Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali Scpa and Aero Sekur SPA), supported by specialists from Leonardo Helicopters, achieved the relevant CDR gate review by validating solutions and methodologies on a representative 1:1 fuel tank demonstrator.