NASA’s green aviation project, together with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and FlexSys, Inc, is one step closer to demonstrating technology that could make future airliners quieter and more fuel-efficient with the successful flight test of a wing surface that can change shape in flight. The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) is a direct result of 20 years of collaboration between AFRL and FlexSys and the ongoing flight tests will determine if flexible trailing-edge wing flaps can both improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce airport-area noise generated during takeoffs and landings.
In this joint effort, conventional hinged flaps on a modified Gulfstream III business aircraft were replaced with FlexSys’ advanced, shape changing flaps that form continuous bendable and twistable surfaces.
The first ACTE flight was successfully completed on November 6 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, and was followed by additional successful flights. The testing will continue over the next several months.
Source: NASA YouTube