A European research group led by FOI’s Martin Hagström has been rewarded with an Award of Excellence by GARTEUR, the Group for Aeronautical Research and Technology in Europe, in recognition of their work which has made possible the development of less costly and safer electronic control systems for aircraft.




The group led by Martin Hagström, known as FM AG 17 – Flight Mechanics Action Group 17, includes members from France, Germany, Holland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The group’s work consisted of the evaluation and development of control algorithms for electronically controlled aircraft by taking theoretical methods from their research work and using these in complex and realistic simulation models of aircraft.

The work has been done within the framework of GARTEUR, a government level organisation for research collaboration between Europe’s seven leading countries in the field of aeronautics: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The group, whose work has now been completed, has been so successful that it was nominated as the first recipient of GARTEUR’s prize for the best research group.

“The result of our research means that one can shorten the design time in the development of new control systems. We received the award for the way in which we were able to take methods from our research work and make them available to industry in such a way that they yielded robust results, and because the project was well managed and completed on time,” says Martin Hagström.

Two other experts from FOI, John Robinson and Markus Högberg, also took part in this work. The award is valuable both for FOI and for the individuals concerned, says Martin Hagström.

“For FOI it is good because it shows that we can lead projects of this type and achieve results, that we are a reliable partner. When new projects are to be started, it is naturally to FOI’s advantage that we have delivered good results in initiating new research,” he adds.
Dr Anders Blom, FOI’s Head of Research, is very pleased that the Agency’s scientists have received international recognition.

“The long-term reputation of a research institute stands or falls by the competence of its research personnel. It is therefore particularly gratifying when the outside world confirms that we have access to personnel whose knowledge and expertise is internationally acknowledged to be at the leading edge,” he says.

In 2010 Sweden takes over from Germany in the rotating chairmanship role in GARTEUR. Chairmanship is for a period of two years.