Icing during flight must be taken into account in the design, specification and operation of aircraft. This is because ice formation on wings, tail surfaces, rotors or engine inlets affects fluid dynamics, lift and controllability, whilst at the same time increasing the energy requirements of anti-icing systems. With new aircraft architectures, electrified propulsion systems and stricter efficiency and sustainability targets, established design approaches are increasingly reaching their limits. At the same time, regulatory requirements for realistic, verifiable evidence of icing effects are increasing – ideally as early as the initial stages of development. The key challenge here lies in striking a balance between physical accuracy, computational effort and industrial applicability.
In the field of in-flight icing, AIT pursues an integrated approach that systematically combines numerical simulation, experimental validation and data-driven methods. This approach is based on high-resolution three-dimensional simulations of ice accretion under realistic atmospheric conditions, coupled with aerodynamic analyses of iced configurations. These are validated through measurement campaigns in international icing wind tunnels and through optical measurement and evaluation methods developed in-house.
Building on this physical foundation, AI-supported methods are employed. Physics-based neural networks and data-driven surrogate models make it possible to predict key icing parameters – such as droplet fields, impingement zones, ice forms or changes in aerodynamic performance – with high accuracy and significantly reduced computational effort. As a result, complex icing effects can, for the first time, be efficiently integrated into design and optimisation processes. This enables computing times to be reduced by several orders of magnitude whilst maintaining the accuracy required for safety-critical applications.
For the industry, this results in shorter development cycles and reduced testing requirements, as well as new degrees of freedom in the design of energy-efficient anti-icing and de-icing systems – a key aspect, particularly for electrically powered and hybrid aircraft.
AIT’s expertise in the field of in-flight icing is recognised internationally and is underpinned by numerous scientific publications, conference papers and collaborations with leading industry and research partners. International awards, including an EREA Best Paper Award, confirm the scientific quality and level of innovation.
Future activities will focus on scaling up AI-supported methods to create integrated digital workflows, modelling complete aircraft configurations, linking these with digital twins, and incorporating passive and hybrid protection concepts. Robust digital chains of evidence for icing will make a significant contribution to safe, efficient and regulatory-compliant next-generation aviation systems.
AIT connects science and innovation
The ability to rapidly translate new findings into marketable technologies and practical solutions is increasingly becoming a key competitive factor for Europe. At this interface between science, technology and application, applied research at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology plays a central role. Austria’s largest research and technology organisation aligns its research closely with the needs of industry and current societal challenges. AIT’s research makes a difference and creates solutions – for businesses, society and, ultimately, for us all.
AIT Impact Report
The AIT Impact Report 2026 uses around 30 examples to illustrate how AIT, together with partners from industry, academia and the public sector, translates research into concrete solutions. The projects presented range from the digitalisation of industrial processes, through resilient infrastructure and sustainable energy and industrial systems, to health, mobility, security and the circular economy.
The AIT Impact Report 2026 is available online (in German): www.ait.ac.at/impact-report