Wind Tunnel Analysis of a Morphing Swept Wing Tailless Aircraft

Abstract

Inspired by flight in nature, work done by Lippisch, the Hortens, and Northrop offered a chance at achieving the efficiency of bird flight with swept-wing tailless aircraft. Tailless designs have been forced incorporate aerodynamic compromises for control, which have inhibited potential advantages. A morphing mechanism, which changes the twist of wing and can provide pitch, roll and yaw control for a tailless swept wing aircraft. This research is investigating the design of a morphing wing to impro ve the flight characteristics of a tailless aircraft. Wind-tunnel testing is being used to evaluate the stability, control and efficiency of a morphing swept wing tailless aircraft. Preliminary data indicates that a morphing mechanism, which can change an aircrafts wing twist in flight, can provide adequate control forces and moments to control an UAV and potentially in a manned aircraft. This morphing wing can allow a swept wing tailless aircraft to fly in a cruise configuration without the added drag of b uilt in washout or winglets normally used to prevent adverse yaw during maneuvering resulting in lift to drag ratios in the cruise configuration for the morphing wing close to 15 % better then an elevon -equipped wing. Wind tunnel data also indicates that drag reductions of between 7% and 28 % during maneuvering flight may be possible.