While indispensable for aircraft structural design and residual strength assessment, numerical modeling tools face challenges in accurately replicating real-world behavior and creating precise digital twins due to factors like material property variations, manufacturing-induced deviations, loading conditions, among others. Machine learning techniques, including physics-informed neural networks, enable the handling of diverse uncertainties and the improvement of calibration and validation for numerical models. This is achieved by combining experimental inputs with simulations through continuous updating processes that refine digital twins, enhancing their accuracy in predicting structural behavior and performance throughout an aircraft's life cycle. These refined models could enable real-time monitoring and improve damage assessment, supporting decision-making in diverse contexts and contributing to the assurance of structural integrity and safety in aircraft structures throughout their operational life.

Even though the use of carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) in airframes has increased drastically in the last few years, large safety margins are still used, limiting the full exploitation of the benefits of CFRPs. The high susceptibility to subcritical damage mechanisms and the lack of knowledge and predictive capability of the mechanical response and of the complex failure behaviour of composite materials are among the main reasons. This presentation will address some of the most recent contributions on composites failure modelling and characterisation with an eye on the certification by analysis of (disruptive) composite aerostructures.

The presentation focused on key project results obtained through testing activities at the Brno University of Technology Aircraft Testing Facility, especially in the field of small aircraft and space research. The interesting spacecraft test, as well as basic research of thermal characteristics for space applications, were mentioned. The presented results underlined the importance of excellent research infrastructures operating in an academic environment and their impact on the aeronautical industry in the Czech Republic and beyond.

Aircraft technologies, including demonstrators, built under various EU projects, incl the Clean Sky and Aviation Joint Undertaking partnerships, require specific test facilities to improve their technological maturity, typically from TRL 6 to TRL 9, and for certification purposes before they are launched on the market. A discussion was initiated on how to address future key needs for improving (or building new) aeronautical research and technology infrastructures (e.g. wind tunnels, engine test beds, etc.) to upgrade them for disruptive technologies (e.g. hydrogen/electric propulsion systems) and accelerate market introduction. The presentation reflects on the discussions within the stakeholder groups.