The global aerospace industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Climate protection, security and serial production capability are becoming the benchmarks for future innovation. Experts from the Fraunhofer‑Gesellschaft will be showing how applied research translates these requirements into marketable solutions at ILA Berlin 2026, where they will be presented at two booths in the Aviation (Hall C, Booth 280) and Space areas (Hall B, Booth 240). From climate-friendly propulsion systems and large scale-producible space technologies to satellite-based Earth observation systems, Fraunhofer will demonstrate research results that are not only enabling the transformation of the aerospace industry but also bringing it to fruition.
Aviation: technologies for climate-friendly, cost-effective flight
The experts at Booth 280 in Hall C will be showing how new propulsion concepts, sustainable materials and their transfer to cost-effective production processes can pave the way for electricity-powered, climate-friendly aviation. They will also be focusing on high-rate production capability, i.e., robust, scalable production processes.
Electric and hybrid flights will be a major topic at this year’s ILA. In this area, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB will be presenting their power electronics and electric drive components, including DC-DC converters with one of the world’s highest power densities, high-voltage distribution systems and a megawatt-class electric motor for electric powertrains. These systems address the increasingly exacting standards governing efficiency, weight and safety in electricity-powered aircraft.
They will be complemented by demonstrators for fuel cell-based propulsion systems, which illustrate how electric power supply, propulsion and system integration can work together to achieve low-emission flights.
In the area of hydrogen in aviation, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM will be presenting HYTANK: the world’s first flexible, automated machining and assembly plant for CFRP hydrogen tanks, extending beyond surface pre-treatment and barrier layer. This system marks the first step toward the future serial production of liquid hydrogen tanks for flight operations, making it a key milestone for the future of hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS will be demonstrating EcoRudder to illustrate how climate action, lightweight design and industrial manufacturing can be combined. This exhibit, developed as part of the European Clean Aviation project FasterH2, features an aircraft rudder made from recyclable thermoplastic sandwich structures. A special manufacturing process allows the components to be produced within very short cycle times, thus demonstrating how expensive one-off production can be scaled for serial manufacturing.
Other exhibits will showcase automated manufacturing processes for thermoplastic composite components, digitally supported assembly processes and data-integrated concepts for circular economy and traceability in aircraft construction.
Space: from the production line into orbit
Fraunhofer’s presence at Booth 240 in Hall B will focus on technologies that can be used both in space and for applications here on Earth. Guided by the theme “Space for Earth,” Fraunhofer experts will present sensor and communication solutions, materials for extreme environments as well as security and defense technologies. Their solutions show how space-based systems for Earth observation, climate analysis, and crisis prevention can help build resilient infrastructure.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
