The Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) is a key public institution under the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation in France.
In France, the main funding body for aeronautics is the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) via the Civil Aviation Research Council (CORAC). CORAC is a government-industry body dedicated to setting up the sector's national research programme.
CORAC is chaired by the Minister for Ecological transition and brings together, on an annual basis, the chairmen of the companies (Airbus, Safran, Dassault, Thales) and the heads of the administrations concerned for major decisions on policy and budgets regarding the aeronautics sector. A steering committee and various thematic committees meet every month to build an updated research program based on high-level objectives set around the major axes of the environment, security and competitiveness. These meetings are composed of the DGAC, the DGA (The Directorate General of Armaments), ONERA (Office national d'études et de recherches aérospatiales = French national aerospace research centre), industrial players are also associated with national operators such as airlines and airports.
CORAC was set up to coordinate French aerospace research on aeronautics for greater efficiency. Its main strength is that the whole industry stakeholders are represented into the CORAC: aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, systems and equipment suppliers, government departments, Cluster, SMEs etc. CORAC's roadmap is majorly structured around three strategic “revolution” areas[1]:
The energy revolution: The roadmap provides for major progress in energy efficiency for the next generation of aircraft, through action across all disciplines: configurations, aerodynamics, aerostructures, engines, equipment. It also organizes the selection of the most promising carbon-free energy sources and the development of technologies enabling their use on board.
The operations revolution: Advances in digital technology and connectivity, combined with the modernization of air traffic management, are levers for the transformation of air transport: for a new significant leap in flight safety that will be brought in particular by crew assistance functions, for a significant reduction in the environmental footprint of air transport.
The competitiveness revolution: Future programs need to rely on a robust and responsive supply chain and shorter development cycles. It is therefore essential to increase the competitiveness of the aeronautics sector by investing massively in the modernization of production tools and digital continuity at all levels of the supplier chain.
Its deliverables take the form of demonstrators aimed at hastening the incorporation of the technology advances of the aerospace of the future.
CORAC relies on its knowledge of industrial players, technological challenges, to foster the emergence of innovative projects. On the aims, CORAC also collaborate with all other stakeholders as clusters and business networks. Based on the expertise of industrial leaders and engaging with all relevant stakeholders, CORAC works towards identifying main initiatives. This collaborative approach makes it possible to identify opportunities, pool resources and develop strategic partnerships, which are essential to the identification and implementation of ambitious, successful projects. For private companies, the rate of funding is 50%, while for RTOs and research universities, the rate of funding is 100%. The assistance is provided in the form of grants.
In terms of funding envelope, CORAC will be able to set up an R&D funding program of up to 300 M€ per year from 2024 on the global topic of low carbon aviation.
[1] Feuille de route - CORAC Aéro Recherche - Aéronautique Civile : CORAC Aéro Recherche – Aéronautique Civile (aerorecherchecorac.com)