Discover Airlines A330 retrofitted with fuel-saving riblet film in Dresden
Lufthansa Technik and Elbe Flugzeugwerke have begun applying a shark-skin-inspired riblet film to an Airbus A330 operated by Discover Airlines, the first A330 to receive the modification.
An Airbus A330 operated by Discover Airlines is being fitted with a film designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, based on the structure of shark skin. The work is taking place at Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) at Dresden Airport. Lufthansa Technik is also involved.
The riblet film, known as Aeroshark, has been applied to the aircraft's fuselage. Preparatory markings in red, yellow, blue, and green adhesive tape were visible before application. The film's surface is textured with fine grooves intended to lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
According to the report, this Airbus A330 is the first of its type to receive the modification. The technology was originally developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and draws on research into shark skin, which has natural ridges that reduce drag in water. The concept has been under investigation for aviation use since the 1990s.
Sources
- aerotelegraph.comDieser Airbus wird gesharkt: In Dresden bekommt erstmals ein Airbus A330 die sparsame Haifischhaut