BAE Systems, in partnership with Manchester University, has flown the world's first unmanned air vehicle (UAV) with a new flapless flow control.
The flight was part of a five-year research programme, being jointly funded by BAE and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), to look at technologies for future UAVs.
The project is run from Cranfield University with nine other university partners and covers all key aspects and technologies of the next-generation UAV. The UAV was flown near Manchester, north-west England. Flow control is achieved by blowing air from the trailing edge of the wing which entrains the upper surface flow and so increases lift.
Benefits
BAE Systems says being able to fly and control aircraft without conventional control surfaces will bring benefits to both military and civil aircraft. A reduction in edges and gaps that can increase radar cross section will enhance stealth characteristics of military jets.
Also, the number of moving and electrical parts in military and civil aircraft will be reduced, affecting cost, reliability, weight, efficiency and maintenance.
BAE Systems says the ultimate aim of the programme is to deliver a flying demonstrator vehicle which makes use of all the technologies being researched for a maintenance-free, low-cost UAV without conventional control surfaces and without performance penalty over conventional craft. This is scheduled for completion in early 2009.
Source: Flight Daily News
