Airbus has carried out a curious test in recent months, where a completely new wing was put to the test in a wind tunnel, and in the near future it will equip a Cessna Citation VII executive jet.
All tests were carried out within the scope of the eXtra Performance Wing project, launched in September 2021. In this first stage, already completed, Airbus researchers tested a scaled version of the Citation that will be used in the tests.
A composite wing was constructed, with a trailing edge capable of altering the wing surface, along with a semi-aeroelastic hinge. This is the first time that Airbus has used this approach, along with a tip that has the ability to bend during flight.
In the video below, and in the featured image, we can see the use of strings with fluorescent dyes as well as the use of flowvis for monitoring the aerodynamic behavior in a wind tunnel. Based on these simple materials, engineers are able to establish how the airflow behaves in various flight conditions, and compare it with expected design data.
FILTON | @Airbus has completed wind-tunnel testing of its nature-inspired eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator in our quest to quickly test and accelerate new technologies to decarbonize the aviation industry. Read more: https://t.co/ddZZppf1fk #sustainability #biomimicry pic.twitter.com/jlI48WbFGR
— Airbus In The UK (@AirbusintheUK) April 12, 2022
“The partially 3D-printed wind tunnel model – expertly constructed by the aerodynamics team at Airbus' low-speed wind tunnel facility in Bristol – is a scaled-down version of the Cessna jet, incorporating the lightweight, long-range design of the eXtra Performance Wing that will deliver the emissions benefits we are striving for.”
“Similar to how an eagle flies, by adapting the shape, span and surface of its wings and feathers, this demonstrator allows for greater flight efficiency”, said Airbus about the project presented this Wednesday (22).
The Citation's fully collapsible section will be 2,4 meters in each part of the wing. Airbus hopes to prove that it is possible to gain aerodynamic efficiency by flying with the tips “bent” at a specific angle.
In addition, the ability to change the surface of the wing during flight can improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft, mainly interfering with the functioning of the boundary layer in the upper part (extrados) of the wing, reducing microturbulences on the surface.
Project AlbatrossONE inaugurated the studies of this concept
Initially introduced on a smaller scale through another Airbus project, the AlbatrossONE, which tested semi-aeroelastic articulated wings that – like seabirds – unlocked in flight when experiencing gusts of wind or turbulence, the eXtra Performance Wing will also examine technologies to on board such as gust sensors, pop-up spoilers and multi-functional trailing edges to enable active wing control.
“Airbus’ state-of-the-art low-speed wind tunnel is a fantastic way to validate our concepts before flight testing”, added Oliver Family. “Our computational aerodynamic analysis capability is world-class, and the wind tunnel provides another valuable way to measure aircraft performance and capabilities prior to flight testing. The technologies we tested in the Filton wind tunnel – many inspired by biomimicry – will now be rapidly integrated for flight testing.”
See more about the AlbatrossONE project Clicking here.
Airbus' low-speed wind tunnel at Filton, near Bristol, replicates conditions similar to aircraft take-off and landing wind speeds, but is also used by external organizations testing F1 cars, ships' radar systems, vehicles urban air mobility and conventional aircraft.
The eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator is housed at Airbus UpNext, a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus, created to give future technologies accelerated development by building demonstrators at speed and scale to assess, mature and validate potential new products and services that encom technological advances. radicals.
