The German Glider Research Institute ( German: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug , DFS; Deutsche Forschungsanstalt Für Segelflug, DFS) was organized in the early 1930s on the basis of the Rön -Rossitten Gesellschaft glider society, which was founded in 1925 in Wasserck . In 1939, the DFS was transferred to Darmstadt - Griesheim , and Professor Walter Georgii was appointed its director.
The Glider Institute included the following departments: meteorological , aerodynamics department, instrumentation department, glider design department, and after joining Professor A. Lippisch’s work , also the tailless aircraft development department.
Prototypes of the developed designs were made in the workshops of the institute in Darmstadt-Griesheim and Ainring , where the main branch was located . Serial production was carried out at the company " Gotha " and other enterprises.
The institute has developed a very successful military glider DFS 230 (produced more than 1000 copies).
In addition to the Mistel program (compound aircraft ), the institute has developed several successful projects, including the DFS 332 motor glider, the DFS 228 rocket glider, and the DFS-346 (Sibel-346) ultrasonic reconnaissance / interceptor with the Walter HWK-109 engine -509V and a design speed of 2.6 M; on the basis of “Sibel-346” in the USSR, work was continued at OKB-2 to achieve the sound speed “project 346”).
When the RLM decided on the urgent development of manned disposable projectile shells launched from carrier aircraft in the air ( Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg ), the director of DFS V. George was appointed the coordinator of all research and development work in this area.