Reducing Emissions: Parameter Sensitivity Analysis for the Conceptual Design of Military Transport Aircraft

Reducing Emissions: Parameter Sensitivity Analysis for the Conceptual Design of Military Transport Aircraft

Gebhard, Ganesh (TU Delft Aerospace Engineering)

Yin, F. (mentor)
Steinert, P. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Aerospace Engineering

2024-03-22

The escalating concerns surrounding climate change underline the importance of examining greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across various sectors, with aviation causing approximately 1.9% of the global GHG emissions in 2020. To this modest figure, the Dutch aviation industry acknowledges its share to the climate impact and has gone ahead to objectify it. It has been shown that there has been a 13% surge in the 2018 total GHG emissions, and of the emissions attributable to the Netherlands, a staggering 75% has been emitted beyond its border. Remarkably 95.3% of these beyond-Dutch border emissions are attributable to its aviation sector. This showcases how a localized issue can have global impact.

This research explores the area of military aviation emissions, focusing on the Airbus A330 MRTT operated by the NATO Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU). While commercial aviation adheres to emissions monitoring policies, military aviation is exempted from such obligations. This research adopts a certain approach, focusing not necessarily on the identification of the 'right' methodology but more on the selection of methods tailored to identified goals. The core objective is a sensitivity analysis of emissions and climate impact concerning aircraft design and mission parameters.
In collaboration with the MMU and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), this research uses real-world data for model validation. This research addresses key questions around design and mission parameters with the focus on engine performance modeling, emissions modeling and sensitivity analyses.

The report is structured into four chapters.
The first chapter discusses the literature and background of emissions in commercial and military aviation. The focus will be on the critical role of emission and that of climate impact modeling.
The second chapter outlines the methodology, overall emission model reviews and a climate impact evaluation using Average Temperature Response (ATR).
The third chapter includes the validations using flight data and an external software tool for the emissions validations. The last chapter shows the results and a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. The obtained results aim to collectively present insights for Airbus Defence & Space, towards the conceptual design phase of their new military aircraft. This research contributes to the broader prevailing dialog on sustainable aviation.

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:626bc0e8-d14e-45f2-9065-719d32781b71

2026-03-22

Student theses

master thesis

© 2024 Ganesh Gebhard