Objective
Morphing aircraft structures are flight vehicles that change their shape to effect both a change in the mission of the aircraft and to perform flight control without the use of discrete control surfaces or seams.
Aircraft constructed with morphing technology promise the distinct advantages of being able to fly multiple types of missions, to perform radically new manoeuvres not possible with conventional control surfaces, to be more fuel efficient, and to provide a reduced radar signature.
The Wright brother s used a method of wing-warping to twist the wings for roll control, and today many aircraft use flaps for take off and landing. The difference with morphing aircraft is the full integration of the shape control into the wing structure; a truly smart structure. In the limit one could envisage a flying wing with no discrete control surfaces at all.
This project will take a systems view of morphing aircraft structures and will consider the structural design, airflow, structural dynamics, flight control system, aeroservoelasticity, and sensors and actuators. All these areas interact extensively, for example designing how the structure changes shape is critically dependent on the aerodynamic loads and the required flight control.
While each topic is a huge area in its own right, a systems approach is the only appropriate way forward. The primary objective of this project is to produce a fully integrated simulation of a morphing aircraft including the aerodynamics, compliant structures, structural dynamics and flight control.
Of primary interest will be an accurate assessment of the loads required to actuate the structure that can be used to optimise the power requirements and controllability of the aircraft. As part of this overall objective wind tunnel models will be built, both to validate the predictions of the actuator loads, and to provide a demonstrator to encourage further development of this concept by industry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering control systems
- engineering and technology materials engineering composites
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering aircraft
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications radio technology radar
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering aeronautical engineering
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-8
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
BRISTOL
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.