Leading innovation in German aviation research projects (LuFo VII)

Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH Leading Innovation in German Aviation Research Projects

2026-02-11 Source: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH 2 min Reading Time

Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH serves as consortium leader for the two research projects SONRISA and NewFlAir within the German aviation research programme LuFo VII, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH is leading key LuFo VII research projects to advance digital manufacturing and next-generation flight control technologies for future aircraft.(Image: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH) — Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH is leading key LuFo VII research projects to advance digital manufacturing and next-generation flight control technologies for future aircraft.
(Image: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH)

The programme pursues sustainable aviation goals in line with the German government’s aviation strategy, strengthening innovation, research, development and production capabilities in Germany.

In cooperation with leading industrial and research partners, Liebherr-Aerospace is advancing technologies to make air travel more sustainable, efficient and competitive. The projects focus on digitalised additive manufacturing quality assurance and next-generation flight control systems for future regional aircraft.

SONRISA – Digital quality assurance for additive manufacturing

The SONRISA project develops a digital and standardised quality assurance framework for laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) in aerospace, aiming to demonstrate process stability and repeatability and increase acceptance of additively manufactured components.

Key elements include in-situ monitoring, statistical process control and advanced data processing, enabling reduced inspection effort, faster certification and cost-efficient non-destructive testing concepts. The project is led by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH and carried out with Boeing Deutschland, MTU Aero Engines, Materialise Deutschland and the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, with Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology as an associated partner.

Liebherr-Aerospace contributes by developing an end-to-end, digitally supported quality assurance concept, combining data from multiple monitoring systems and data fusion approaches. The results are intended to reduce non-destructive testing, support sustainable manufacturing, and enable the future use of additively manufactured components, including hydraulic valve blocks for new and retrofit applications.

NewFlAir – Next-generation fly-by-wire systems

The NewFlAir project develops a modular, cost-optimised fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system for future regional aircraft. The project is implemented with Deutsche Aircraft, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and TU Berlin.

Across several LuFo VII phases, the project evaluates FBW architectures, control laws and system components, culminating in ground and flight testing on DLR’s UpLift D328 test aircraft. Liebherr-Aerospace leads the consortium and develops the complete FBW system, including actuators, system architecture and component testing.

Shaping the future of aviation

Together with its partners, Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH is shaping the future of aviation by advancing digital manufacturing and flight control technologies that contribute to more sustainable and efficient air transport.

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