DAWS - FT Development of Advanced Wing Solutions - Flight Test
Lead Participant:
AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
Abstract
Improving the performance of wings is one of the biggest opportunities for optimising fuel efficiency. Alongside the engine, the wing is one of the biggest levers to improve the performance of an aircraft. The next generation wing has the potential to contribute as much to overall aircraft efficiency gains as the next generation engine.
On all aircraft, energy is lost through the creation of wing vorticity which is a by-product of lift. By increasing the span of the wing, more of the oncoming airflow can be captured meaning the wing creates the required lift more efficiently, reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions.
However, achieving the maximum aerodynamic benefits requires wingspans that exceed the physical constraints of existing airport gates. While past innovations like Airbus's winglets (evolving from the Airbus A310 wingtip fence to the Airbus A330neo smooth blended device) increased effective span within these limits, significant future efficiency gains demand wings that go beyond current gate constraints.
The solution is Folding Wing technology. This allows aircraft to fly with the Folding Wing fully extended and secured for optimal aerodynamic performance in flight, then being in the retracted position on ground while the aircraft is taxiing and parked, enabling compatibility with current airport gate infrastructure.
These critical technology bricks are being developed as part of the Airbus led Wing of Tomorrow programme through the ATI-funded DAWS projects portfolio.
Specifically, the "Development of Advanced Wing Solutions - Flight Test" (DAWS-FT) project builds upon the outcomes of DAWS and DAWS-2 to deliver Folding Wing technologies that address the complex aerodynamic challenges associated with high span wings.
DAWS-FT involves designing, manufacturing, and assembling a number of fixed wing extension devices. These devices will represent the fully extended Folding Wing in flight. The system to retract the Folding Wing on ground will not be flight tested as part of this project.
This work will be performed at Airbus's Filton site, the home of the Wing Technology Development Centre, a specialist facility where the wings for the eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator were also recently assembled. These devices will then be flown on a flight test aircraft in Toulouse, France, in a representative flight environment.
The data gathered from DAWS-FT will directly inform the aerodynamic design for the next generation of Folding Wings. This capability is crucial for unlocking further improvements in fuel efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering operating costs for future aircraft and airline customers.
On all aircraft, energy is lost through the creation of wing vorticity which is a by-product of lift. By increasing the span of the wing, more of the oncoming airflow can be captured meaning the wing creates the required lift more efficiently, reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions.
However, achieving the maximum aerodynamic benefits requires wingspans that exceed the physical constraints of existing airport gates. While past innovations like Airbus's winglets (evolving from the Airbus A310 wingtip fence to the Airbus A330neo smooth blended device) increased effective span within these limits, significant future efficiency gains demand wings that go beyond current gate constraints.
The solution is Folding Wing technology. This allows aircraft to fly with the Folding Wing fully extended and secured for optimal aerodynamic performance in flight, then being in the retracted position on ground while the aircraft is taxiing and parked, enabling compatibility with current airport gate infrastructure.
These critical technology bricks are being developed as part of the Airbus led Wing of Tomorrow programme through the ATI-funded DAWS projects portfolio.
Specifically, the "Development of Advanced Wing Solutions - Flight Test" (DAWS-FT) project builds upon the outcomes of DAWS and DAWS-2 to deliver Folding Wing technologies that address the complex aerodynamic challenges associated with high span wings.
DAWS-FT involves designing, manufacturing, and assembling a number of fixed wing extension devices. These devices will represent the fully extended Folding Wing in flight. The system to retract the Folding Wing on ground will not be flight tested as part of this project.
This work will be performed at Airbus's Filton site, the home of the Wing Technology Development Centre, a specialist facility where the wings for the eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator were also recently assembled. These devices will then be flown on a flight test aircraft in Toulouse, France, in a representative flight environment.
The data gathered from DAWS-FT will directly inform the aerodynamic design for the next generation of Folding Wings. This capability is crucial for unlocking further improvements in fuel efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering operating costs for future aircraft and airline customers.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED | £22,228,824 | £ 11,114,412 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Philippa Rowe (Project Manager) |