Airbus to demonstrate shape-changing wing

September 23rd 2021

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Airbus is hoping to emulate the ability of a soaring eagle to change its wing shape, span and surface to improve aircraft aerodynamics and boost efficiency. Read More » The European manufacturer is planning to use breakthrough technologies to produce a wing that can change shape and could be incorporated into any propulsion system or aircraft type. The company’s “extra performing wing” demonstrator project will test the technologies on a Cessna Citation VII business jet as part of a suite of initiatives aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. Various technologies will be used to control the wing, including gust sensors, pop-up spoilers or plates, multifunctional trailing edges that dynamically change a wing surface in flight and a semi-aeroelastic hinge. The demonstrator will be part of Airbus subsidiary UpNext and complement the company’s Wing of Tomorrow program. A first full-size wing prototype has been produced and will be one of three used to test the latest composite materials, new aerodynamic technologies and improvements to manufacturing processes. Airbus said one wing would be used to understand systems integration, a second would compare structural testing with computer modelling and the third would test ways of scaling-up production.