Safran Tech is partnering with Quandela to leverage photonic quantum technology, using light to process quantum information, for simulating airflow around aircraft. The newly launched AQeFLU project aims to increase the number of engine design configurations tested, improving accuracy and supplementing traditional wind tunnel testing and numerical calculations. This collaboration intends to accelerate the development cycles of future engines and energy systems, potentially leading to significant improvements in aircraft performance and fuel efficiency. “In the long term, quantum computing could make industrial design phases more efficient, and enable advances such as improved aerodynamic performance and reduced fuel consumption,” explains Frédéric Feyel, Director of the Digital Platform at Safran Tech. The research is supported by the Île-de-France Region’s PAQ Quantique programme, indicating regional investment in industrial quantum applications.
Quandela Photonic Technology and Safran Fluid Dynamics Expertise
The pursuit of more efficient aircraft designs is now aided by light itself. Safran Tech, the research and technology centre of Safran, is collaborating with Quandela to apply photonic quantum technology to the complex problem of modelling airflow, a different approach than more common quantum computing methods based on superconductivity or trapped ions. This partnership, formalized in the AQeFLU research project, seeks to improve the accuracy and speed of aerodynamic simulations, potentially reducing reliance on expensive and time-consuming wind tunnel testing. This innovation combines Quandela’s expertise in photonic quantum computing, which utilizes light to process quantum information, with Safran Tech’s established knowledge of fluid mechanics and computational methods. Teams will initially validate algorithms using standardized academic models before applying them to advanced industrial challenges, specifically in combustion and propulsion systems.
The potential for reduced fuel consumption highlights the broader implications for sustainability within the aerospace industry. Valérian Giesz, co-founder and COO of Quandela, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration, stating, “We are delighted with this new partnership with Safran, an industrial group recognised worldwide for its expertise in the fields of aerospace, space and defence.” Quandela’s systems are designed for practical deployment, operating at room temperature and integrating with existing data centre infrastructure, positioning them as a viable solution for real-world industrial challenges.
AQeFLU Project Aims to Accelerate Aerospace Design Cycles
The aerospace industry currently relies heavily on extensive physical testing and computationally intensive simulations to refine aerodynamic designs; these processes are time-consuming and expensive, limiting the speed of innovation in engine and aircraft development. Safran Tech and Quandela are attempting to overcome these limitations through the AQeFLU project, focusing on the application of photonic quantum computing to model airflow with increased precision. Unlike many quantum computing initiatives centered on superconductivity or trapped ions, this collaboration leverages light to process quantum information, an approach that Quandela has specialized in developing for practical, real-world applications. The core objective isn’t simply to replicate existing simulations faster, but to dramatically expand the scope of design exploration; researchers aim to multiply the number of engine configurations they can accurately test, potentially identifying more efficient and higher-performing designs than currently feasible. This research benefits from regional support through the Île-de-France Region’s PAQ Quantique programme, demonstrating a commitment to fostering quantum technology within the French industrial sector.
In the long term, the use of quantum computing could make industrial design phases more efficient, whilst paving the way for tangible advances, such as improved aerodynamic performance and reduced fuel consumption.
Frédéric Feyel, Director of the Digital Platform at Safran Tech
