Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug

The Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (German for 'German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight' / 'German Institute for Glider Research'), or DFS , was formed in 1933 to centralise all gliding activity in Germany, under the directorship of Professor Walter Georgii.

[1]: 76 The DFS was involved in producing training sailplanes for the Hitler Youth and Luftwaffe, as well as conducting research into advanced technologies such as flying wings and rocket propulsion.

Notable DFS-produced aircraft include the DFS 230 transport glider (1600+ produced), the German counterpart to the British Airspeed Horsa glider, and the DFS 194, similar to the famous Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket fighter.

In 1938, following a fatal accident at the Wasserkuppe, DFS held a competition to design a more effective speed brake for gliders.

The modern DLR still does research into gliding flight, as the DFS once did.