NASA conducts a flight test series to investigate the ability of an innovative technology to fold the outer portions of wings in flight as part of the Spanwise Adaptive Wing project, or SAW. Flight tests took place at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, using an autonomous subscale UAV called Prototype Technology-Evaluation Research Aircraft, or PTERA, provided by Area-I.
NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland developed the alloy material, and worked with Boeing Research & Technology to integrate the material into an actuator. The alloy is triggered by temperature to move the outer portions of wings up or down in flight.
The ability to fold wings to the ideal position of various flight conditions may produce several aerodynamic benefits for both subsonic and supersonic aircraft.
For more information on SAW visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/feature/nasa-tests-new-alloy-to-fold-wings-in-flight.html
[sound of cart rolling] Crew Chief, let's go for left engine start BGT good [sound of jet engine] stabalized good...both sides Good to go, lock her up I need a go no go for take off Payload?...Payload's Go Aero Controls?...Aero Controls Go Antenna?...Antenna's Go GSO?...GSO is Go Crew Chief?...Crew Chief is Go EP?...Go She's all yours OK, air speeds 16, 25 Full power, 30 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 Rudder doublet, maneuver 4 entering turn here left and right coupled enable lef
t actuator both enabled [mission chatter] 80 78 77 75 72, 70, 65 64, 60 58 55 50 [sound of engines winding down]
Comments
That’s probably the best quality built rc plane lol
I'm positively surprised nobody has commented about the shape of the flight path you can see on one of the monitors
2:08 Thats an interesting flight pattern
It's amazing how NASA creates an rc plane that has good landing gear
Damn that's cool, NASA really knows how to build one heck of an RC airplane lol.
That was the best RC airplane landing I've ever seen. so smooth
NASA, thanks for sharing this. It might be helpful to have someone do a brief introduction explaining what research is being performed during the test. Thanks!
Albeit for research, as a serious fan of R/C commercial airline videos and the hobby itself, this was the ultimate R/C airplane video!
2:09 Look at the computer screen.
What is this?, a commercial airliner for ants!
I would love to see them test variable profile wing shape. Have a thicker profile top to bottom at take off then slimming down for high speed.
Area 1 hmmm... 50 more projects
From the thumbnail I thought the plane was enormous lol
I wish the video explained the purpose of researching folding wings. I was expecting the wing to fold inwards to maybe reduce drag for efficiency. but from the video it seems they only fold the outer tip. Now I'm left wondering what is the benefit from that. Doesn't seem like it reduces drag, does look like an oversized winglet, maybe it could increase stability in a current?
Am I missing something? I thought the wings were going to fold in?
The North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie had wingtips that could fold down in flight when it was designed in 1958. North American improved on the basic concept of compression lift by adding a set of drooping wing-tip panels that were lowered at high speed. This helped trap the shock wave under the wing between the downturned wing tips. I don't know if the wingtips could be turned up to become winglets though.
"The Spanwise Adaptive Wing (SAW) is a way to articulate the outboard portion of the wing in flight to effect a variety of multi-disciplinary, multiplatform benefits. SAW incorporates advanced actuation technology which allows the outboard portion of the wing to articulate in flight. This allows the outboard portion of wing (hinge span) and its corresponding control surface to be folded to the optimal setting for the flight condition. In doing so the aircraft sees significant increases in lateral-directional stability and control augmentation. The increase in lateral control enables increasing aircraft efficiency by reducing the rudder through the incorporation of SAW. Supersonic benefits include increased compression lift and reduced wave drag, and is an enabler for supersonic flying wing design." – NASA website
@2:10 I've never seen a guy spin a pen so quick across his fingers since Top Gun lol
Can it land in various stages of fold failure? Interesting approach and a hat tip for applying modern materials and technology to an old concept that was hamstrung by cost, scarcity of materials, and complexity.
"On subsonic aircraft, such as commercial airliners, the potential aerodynamic benefit of folding the wings includes increased controllability, which may result in a reduced dependency on heavier parts of the aircraft, including the tail rudder. This may result in a more fuel-efficient aircraft, as well as the ability for future long-winged aircraft to taxi in airports. Additionally, pilots may take advantage of a number of different flight conditions, such as wind gusts, by folding their wings to adapt to any particular condition experienced in flight. One of the most significant potential benefits of folding wings in flight, however, is with supersonic flight, or flying faster than the speed of sound." (source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/feature/nasa-tests-new-alloy-to-fold-wings-in-flight.html )