A Revolutionary Lightning Prediction Tool Could Change the Future of Aviation

Lightning Flash 

A Revolutionary Lightning Prediction Tool Could Change the Future of Aviation

Every day, more than 70 aircraft are struck by lightning, but passengers often don't feel a thing thanks to the protection systems built into the aircraft's structure. These systems were designed to fit the traditional tube-wing aircraft shape, but with future designs, this technology may need to change.

A team of aerospace engineers at MIT has developed a physics-based tool to predict how lightning will propagate on any aircraft design, even those yet to be tested. The tool maps the areas most vulnerable to lightning strikes to determine the level of protection needed for each part of the aircraft. 

"New designs are radically different from traditional aircraft, and we can't rely on historical data alone," said MIT aerospace engineering professor Carmen Guerra Garcia. "Physics is the answer because it's not tied to a specific aircraft shape."

Why is this innovation important?

Current aircraft rely on a tube-wing design, which has made protection systems effective for decades. But the industry is moving toward innovative designs like compact wings and strut-supported structures to reduce weight and fuel consumption. These new forms present unprecedented challenges in dealing with lightning.

The new tool doesn't rely on long-range flight tests, but rather on physics models that simulate how air flows around an aircraft, predicting the points where lightning might strike first, and then its path through the structure. The results revealed precise maps that pinpoint areas needing enhanced protection without adding excessive weight.

From Airplanes to Wind Turbines

Innovation isn't limited to aviation. The team is exploring applying the technology to wind turbines, which lose about 60% of their blades due to lightning strikes, especially with the expansion of offshore farms. The study was published in the journal IEEE Access, with support from Boeing, which sees this technology as an opportunity to set new standards for the aviation industry.