Application of smart materials for improved flight performance of military aircraft
- Northrop Grumman Corporation, Hawthorne, CA (United States)
This paper discusses on-going work under an ARPA/WL contract to Northrop Grumman entitled {open_quotes}Smart Structures and Materials Development - Smart Wing.{close_quotes} The contract addresses the application of smart materials and smart Structures concepts to enhance the aerodynamic and maneuver performance of military aircraft. Various concepts for adaptive wing and control surfaces are being studied. Specifically, (a) wing span-wise twist control using built-in shape- memory alloy torquing mechanism and (b) cambered leading edge and trailing edge control surfaces using hybrid piezoelectric and SMA actuation, are being evaluated for a 20% model of a modem day fighter aircraft. The potential benefits of the designs include increased lift for short take-offs, improved high-speed maneuverability, and enhanced control surface effectiveness. These benefits will be quantified by testing the sub-scale model in a transonic wind tunnel next year.
- OSTI ID:
- 175113
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950686-; TRN: 95:006111-0022
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Joint applied mechanics and materials summer meeting, Los Angeles, CA (United States), 28-30 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of AMD - MD `95: Summer conference; PB: 520 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Power management and distribution system for a More-Electric Aircraft (MADMEL) -- Program status
Data annotation, recording and mapping system for the US open skies aircraft