Maaximus, the second largest project funded under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme, is coordinated by Airbus. The objective of the research project Maaximus is to develop manufacturing techniques and computational methods to make the production of large scale aircraft components in composite materials more affordable. FOI leads the largest subproject “Analysis”.

“The fact that we are entrusted with leading the largest subproject must be seen as an acknowledgement of our expertise,” says Dr Anders Blom, FOI’s Head of Research. In addition to fundamental research tasks, this requires continuous management and follow-up of the combined work of the 45 participants in the subproject. The magnitude of the task thus makes unprecedented demands on the scientists at FOI in leading work towards successful achievement of the overall aim of the project.

“All this is a challenge, but through careful and precise research work we can strengthen FOI’s reputation in Europe which in turn leads to increased possibilities for partnership in major new projects,” says Börje Andersson, Head of Research in computational physics.

He believes that FOI’s strong position both nationally and internationally in the field of safety and aircraft technology depends on the breadth of FOI’s collective competence and its well-developed network. This type of research is both multi-disciplinary and problem oriented, says Börje Andersson.

Jan-Olof Lind, Acting Director-General of FOI, points out that Sweden has strong traditions in aircraft technology. FOI has a good record, better than twice the average for Europe, of participation in the various aircraft-related parts of the EU’s Framework Programme. Jan-Olof Lind believes that the sources of income from the EU which have grown most strongly in past years have depended on FOI’s capability to participate in a range of EU programmes in areas such as safety and aircraft technology.