The X-53 — formerly known as the “Active Aeroelastic Wing research vehicle,” or AAW mark a revolution in airplane design. These new planes display much better maneuverability than the traditional planes.
The major difference lies in the design of the wings of the plane that accounts for the lift and drag when speeding in air. Unlike traditional planes with stiff geometry of wings, these planes have flexible, twisting wings. Its flaps, ailerons, and actuators are repositioned, so that the air pressure bends the wing in a way that provides lift, instead of drag.
The design is a result of research by Air Force Research Lab, NASA, and Boeing’s Phantom Works. The design also features a big advantage of thinner wings that help in larger degree of twist. The design opens new prospects for designing of higher aspect-ratio wings for future high-performance aircraft while reducing the structural weight of the wings by 10 to 20 per cent.
Via: defensetech
