Mon, Mar 05, 2012
UAV Will Be Used In Aircraft Configuration Research
The Air Force Research Laboratory was recently awarded an
X-Plane designation for a vehicle that will be used to explore
active control of lightweight, aerodynamically-efficient aircraft
configurations. The X-56A is an innovative, modular, unmanned fight
research vehicle that will allow investigation of active flutter
suppression and gust load alleviation technology.
Flutter is an instability that can occur when unsteady
aerodynamic loads acting on a wing couple with its natural
vibration modes, often resulting in catastrophic failures. The
research to be conducted with the X-56A is critical for the
successful development of future slender, lightweight, high aspect
ratio wing designs that could be used by energy efficient transport
and unmanned aircraft.
The X-56A, also known as the Multi-Utility Technology Testbed
(MUTT) flight demonstrator, is a product of the AFRL-led
Multi-Utility Aeroelastic Demonstration (MAD) program. This program
is a joint effort between AFRL's Air Vehicles Directorate, NASA
Dryden and Lockheed Martin.
The X-56A is powered by twin JetCat P240 turbojets, has a
28-foot wing span, weighs 480 pounds, and is designed and
constructed for easy wing replacement to enable testing of various
flexible wing configurations. An additional hard point is being
designed into the center of aft upper deck of the fuselage for
mounting an additional third engine or a structural member to
support testing of joined wing configurations. These
characteristics will allow the testing of a wide range of advanced
aerodynamic concepts. The X-56A will exhibit multiple rigid body
and aeroelastic instabilities within its flight envelope, which
will be actively managed by its flight control system.
The first X-56A flight is scheduled for summer 2012. Following
Air Force flight testing, the X-56A will be used by NASA's Dryden
Flight Research Center for their continuing research into
lightweight structures and advanced technologies for future
low-emissions transport aircraft.
More News
Very High Frequency The frequency band between 30 and 300 MHz. Portions of this band, 108 to 118 MHz, are used for certain NAVAIDs; 118 to 136 MHz are used for civil air/ground voi>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Suppliers Association Established February 25, 1993, the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), based in Washington, D.C., is a not-for-profit association, repre>[...]
Have A Story That NEEDS To Be Featured On Aero-News? Here’s How To Submit A Story To Our Team Some of the greatest new stories ANN has ever covered have been submitted by our>[...]
From 2021 (YouTube Version): Colorado Campus Offers aVariety Of Aerospace Entertainment And Education Wings over the Rockies Exploration of Flight is the second location for the Wi>[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]