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Validation of the Lockheed Martin Morphing Concept with Wind Tunnel TestingThe Morphing Aircraft Structures (MAS) program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) led effort to develop morphing flight vehicles capable of radical shape change in flight. Two performance parameters of interest are loiter time and dash speed as these define the persistence and responsiveness of an aircraft. The geometrical characteristics that optimize loiter time and dash speed require different geometrical planforms. Therefore, radical shape change, usually involving wing area and sweep, allows vehicle optimization across many flight regimes. The second phase of the MAS program consisted of wind tunnel tests conducted at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel to demonstrate two morphing concepts and their enabling technologies with large-scale semi-span models. This paper will focus upon one of those wind tunnel tests that utilized a model developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (LM). Wind tunnel success criteria were developed by NASA to support the DARPA program objectives. The primary focus of this paper will be the demonstration of the DARPA objectives by systematic evaluation of the wind tunnel model performance relative to the defined success criteria. This paper will also provide a description of the LM model and instrumentation, and document pertinent lessons learned. Finally, as part of the success criteria, aeroelastic characteristics of the LM derived MAS vehicle are also addressed. Evaluation of aeroelastic characteristics is the most detailed criterion investigated in this paper. While no aeroelastic instabilities were encountered as a direct result of the morphing design or components, several interesting and unexpected aeroelastic phenomenon arose during testing.
Document ID
20070018202
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ivanco, Thomas G. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Scott, Robert C. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Love, Michael H. (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. Fort Worth, TX, United States)
Zink Scott (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. Fort Worth, TX, United States)
Weisshaar, Terrence A. (Purdue Univ. West Lafayette, IN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2007
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Report/Patent Number
AIAA 2007-2235
Meeting Information
Meeting: 48th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference
Location: Waikiki, HI
Country: United States
Start Date: April 23, 2007
End Date: April 26, 2007
Sponsors: American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society for Composites, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Helicopter Society, Inc., American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 561581.02.08
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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