Potential Impact of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer
Composite on Commercial Aircraft Performance and Economics
January 2005
Sarah E. O'Donnell, The MITRE Corporation
Kevin R. Sprong, The MITRE Corporation
Brennan M. Haltli, The MITRE Corporation
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the potential performance impact of incorporating carbon
nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) composites in four present-day airframes. Flight
profiles of current and notional 70% single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) by volume
carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) structured airframes are modeled through the
utilization of Euro Control's Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) and from traditional flight
dynamics theory. Using this data, flights are constructed from takeoff to landing and fuel
consumption is evaluated. Due to the decrease in structural mass from aluminum airframes
to notional CNRP-structured airframes of 14.05% on average, observed results include
consequential decrease in fuel consumption by an average of 09.8% and an increase in flight
range by an average of 13.2%. Flight path data from the Enhanced Traffic Management
System (ETMS) enables a correlation of fuel consumption savings to actual fuel savings for
common flight paths for the aircraft types investigated in this study.
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