Airbus launches extra high-performance wing demonstrator
Fortifying Airbus’ decarbonization ambition, the biomimetic-inspired demonstrator will focus on improving and optimizing wing aerodynamics, performance for future aircraft.
CESSNA Citation VII with artist rendering of extra-performing wings. Photo Credit: Airbus
On Sept. 22, Airbus (Toulouse, France) launched an extra-performing wing demonstrator project focused on accelerating and validating technologies that are said will improve and optimize wing aerodynamics and performance for any future aircraft. Airbus says this scaled demonstrator will integrate and fly breakthrough wing technologies on a Cessna Citation VII business jet platform in representative flight conditions. Applications of the extra-performing wing would be compatible with any propulsion solution and aircraft configuration and would reduce CO2 emissions, contributing greatly to Airbus’ decarbonization roadmap.
“Airbus’ extra-performing wing demonstrator is another example of Airbus’ novel technology-oriented solutions to decarbonize the aviation sector,” says Sabine Klauke, Airbus CTO. “Airbus is continuously investigating parallel and complementary solutions such as infrastructure, flight operations and aircraft structure. With this demonstrator, we will make significant strides in active control technology through research and applied testing of various technologies inspired by biomimicry.”
Similar to how an eagle soars, adapting the shape, span and surface of its wings and feathers, this demonstrator enables increased flight efficiency. Various technology bricks will be investigated to enable the active control of the wing, including gust sensors, pop-up spoilers or plates that are rapidly deflected perpendicular to airflow, multifunctional trailing edges that dynamically change wing surface in flight and a semi-aeroelastic hinge.
The demonstrator is hosted within Airbus UpNext (Toulouse), a wholly-owned Airbus subsidiary created to give future technologies a development fast-track by building demonstrators at speed and scale, in order to evaluate, mature and validate potential new products and services that encompass radical technological breakthroughs.
Related Content
-
Infinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more
After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.
-
The state of recycled carbon fiber
As the need for carbon fiber rises, can recycling fill the gap?
-
Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.
As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
