Assessing Synergies Between Truss-Braced Wings, Liquid Hydrogen Propulsion, and Open Rotors in Conceptual Aircraft Design

Assessing Synergies Between Truss-Braced Wings, Liquid Hydrogen Propulsion, and Open Rotors in Conceptual Aircraft Design

Lucas KUGLER, Michael KOTZEM, Sebastian WÖHLER, Thomas ZILL

Abstract. This study investigates the synergistic potential of integrating truss-braced wings, liquid hydrogen propulsion, and open rotor technology in a potential next-generation short-medium-range aircraft. Through exploration of the possible design space, the combined impact on aerodynamic efficiency, structural weight, and emissions reduction is evaluated. The analysis demonstrates that the synergistic combination of technologies can significantly reduce fuel consumption and climate impact while maintaining competitive performance metrics. This work provides a foundation for future sustainable aircraft development by optimizing the interactions of these advanced technologies.

Keywords
Overall Aircraft Design, Truss-Braced-Wing Open-Rotor, Liquid-Hydrogen

Published online 7/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Lucas KUGLER, Michael KOTZEM, Sebastian WÖHLER, Thomas ZILL, Assessing Synergies Between Truss-Braced Wings, Liquid Hydrogen Propulsion, and Open Rotors in Conceptual Aircraft Design, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 528-533, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-95

The article was published as article 95 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

References
[1] IATA, IATA technology roadmap 2013. 2013.
[2] G. G. Carrier et al., “Multidisciplinary analysis and design of strut-braced wing concept for medium range aircraft,” in AIAA SCITECH 2022 forum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-0726.
[3] T. Chau and D. W. Zingg, “Aerodynamic optimization and fuel burn evaluation of a transonic strut-bracedwing single-aisle aircraft,” Journal of Aircraft, pp. 1–21, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C037158.
[4] E. Moerland, R.-G. Becker, and B. Nagel, “Collaborative understanding of disciplinary correlations using a low-fidelity physics-based aerospace toolkit,” CEAS Aeronautical Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 441–454, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-015-0153-4.
[5] J. Ritter, “Design and assessment of open rotor aircraft conceps,” Master Thesis, Universität Stuttgart; Institut für Flugzeugbau, Stuttgart, 01.05.2023.
[6] C. Diette, “Open fan engine architecture for next generation SMR,” in 33rd congress of the international council of the aeronautical sciences, 2022. Available: https://icas.org/ICAS_ARCHIVE/ICAS2022/data/papers/ICAS2022_0925_paper.pdf
[7] S. Woehler, G. Atanasov, D. Silberhorn, B. Fröhler, and T. Zill, “Preliminary aircraft design within a multidisciplinary and multifidelity design environment,” in Proceedings of aerospace europe conference, 2020.
[8] M. Alder, E. Moerland, J. Jepsen, and B. Nagel, “Recent advances in establishing a common language for aircraft design with cpacs,” 2020, Available: https://elib.dlr.de/134341/
[9] L. Kugler, “Design and assessment of transonic truss-braced wing aircraft concepts,” Universität Stuttgart, 2023. Available: https://elib.dlr.de/200716/
[10] G. Pinho Chiozzotto, “Improving aircraft conceptual design with methods for wing loads, aeroelasticity and mass estimation,” Dissertation, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 08.11.2018.
[11] O. Gur, M. Bhatia, W. H. Mason, J. A. Schetz, R. K. Kapania, and T. Nam, “Development of a framework for truss-braced wing conceptual MDO,” Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 277–298, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-010-0612-9.
[12] R. K. Duggirala, C. J. Roy, and J. A. Schetz, “Analysis of interference drag for strut-strut interaction in transonic flow,” AIAA Journal, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 449–462, 2011. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.45703.
[13] C. K. Droney, A. J. Sclafani, N. A. Harrison, A. D. Grasch, and M. D. Beyar, “Subsonic ultra green aircraft research: Phase III – mach 0.75: Transonic truss-braced wing design.” NASA, Boeing Research and Technology. Available: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20205005698
[14] R. A. L. Wilson and R. I. Jones, “Project design studies on aircraft employing natural and assisted laminar flow technologies,” SAE Transactions, vol. 104, pp. 1571–1582, 1995
[15] M. A. Kotzem, S. Wöhler, T. Burschyk, C. Hesse, S. Hellbrück, and T. Zill, “Conceptual aircraft design of a research baseline with direct liquid hydrogen combustion,” in 34th congress of the international council of the aeronautical sciences, ICAS 2024, 2024. Available: https://elib.dlr.de/208298/
[16] T. Burschyk, D. Silberhorn, J. Wehrspohn, M. Kühlen, and T. Zill, “Scenario-based implications of liquid hydrogen storage tank insulation quality for a short-range aircraft concept,” in AIAA AVIATION 2023 forum, Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-3522.
[17] S. Wöhler, J. Häßy, and V. Kriewall, “Establishing the DLR-F25 as a research baseline aircraft for the shortmedium range market in 2035,” in Proceedings of the 34th congress of the international council of the aeronautical sciences (ICAS), florence, italy, 2024, pp. 9–13.