Aircraft morphing wing concepts with radical geometry change

Abstract

Aircraft morphing schemes affect flying performance of aircrafts by dramatic change of aircraft body shapes. Such schemes eliminate the need for multiple, expensive, mission-specific aircraft. Morphing designs include rotating, sliding and inflating based on shape change mechanisms. The current trend in technology development shows that there is room to improve with regards to aircraft size, flying range and flight performance envelope. There should be a balance between shape change and the penalties in cost, complexity and weight. Final performance of the morphing aircraft depends heavily on how such a balance is achieved. © 2010 The Institution of Engineers, Singapore.