NASA and Lockheed Martin have teamed up to create the X-56A, which is designed to use sensors and fast-response control loops to stop wing flutter, which can be a killer in high-aspect ratio wings. From Wired's DangerRoom:
When flutter does occur in the X-56A’s slender wings, the on-board flight computer will manipulate the flight control surfaces on the wings in an attempt to reduce it. Although some fly-by-wire aircraft have been able to reduce the oscillations, the typical solution is to simply increase the strength (and weight) of the structure.
If successful, new designs could lead to ultra lightweight structures and extremely efficient wings for future high altitude drones expanding the capabilities of the eyes in the sky.
The research could also make its way into the civilian world. Because strength, weight and efficiency are interlinked, many futuristic designs promoted by NASA and others rarely go beyond the design concept stage because there is no way to safely use lightweight structures that lack the strength to handle potentially destructive things like flutter.
Comments
Yes when that was originally announced I thought it had a striking resemblance to Chris Mc Nairs Devil Ray, especially in the wingtip department.
One way to reduce flutter is to use different control methods, if the surfaces are not there they can't flutter.
Good for UCAVs and turbines but not perhaps for high aspect ratio wings. The QinetiQ Zephyr has no moving surfaces (ailerons or flaps) on its wing and that worked pretty well out the box.
sUAS are still flown in a well, robotic way. All rather crude and harsh. I still say when some more of the thought put in by free flight aeromodellers comes into play they will become more efficient.
http://www.suasnews.com/2010/09/2000/demon-flies/
http://www.suasnews.com/2010/08/1406/zephyr-launch-and-landing-video/