1 Vehicle Technologies towards Sustainable and Energy Efficient Aviation Jens Friedrichs 1 Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany Ali Elham 2 Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Structures, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany Christian Hühne 3 Institute of Mechanics and Adaptronics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany Rolf Radespiel 4 , André Bauknecht 5 Institute of Fluid Mechanics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany The Cluster of Excellence SE²A - Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation is a joint research initiative of Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover, German Aerospace Center, the National Metrology Institute of Germany and the Braunschweig University of Art. The overall mission is research and fundamental technological development for a sustainable future global air transport system. Following the vision of zero fossil fuel usage in aviation in a 2050 timeframe, reducing material and noise emissions while keeping air transport affordable on short to long range missions, SE²A focuses on significantly reducing the aircraft energy demand in combination with future energy storage and conversion technologies. This large design space makes preliminary system design and assessment based on models of different fidelity level indispensable. In this paper, the framework and research structure of the Cluster is described as well as a special focus on relevant and required vehicle technologies. This follows the need for a significant reduction of the mission energy to allow for future alternative propulsion systems and covers means for radical reductions in aircraft drag and dynamic loads, which in turn allow for reduced operating empty weight. An overall aircraft design methodology is employed for integration and assessment of technological progress. Such analysis is used to identify and quantify snowball effects and to prioritize technologies, but also to identify conflicting areas and requirements. 1 Professor, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, Hermann-Blenk-Str. 37. 2 Professor, Chair of Aircraft Conceptual Design, Hermann-Blenk-Str. 35. 3 Professor, Institute of Mechanics and Adaptronics, Langer Kamp 6 4 Professor, Institute of Fluid Mechanics, Hermann-Blenk-Str. 37. 5 Independent Research Group Leader, SE²A – Sustainable & Energy Efficient Aviation, Hermann-Blenk-Str. 37. Downloaded by DLR DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUER LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT on December 30, 2021 | http://arc.aiaa.org | DOI: 10.2514/6.2022-0685 AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum January 3-7, 2022, San Diego, CA & Virtual 10.2514/6.2022-0685 Copyright © 2022 by Jens Friedrichs, Ali Elham, Christian Hühne, Rolf Radespiel, Andre Bauknecht. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. AIAA SciTech Forum