morphAir

The interdisciplinary research project "Morphing Technologies & Artificial Intelligence Research Group" (morphAIR) aims to demonstrate the improvement of flight performance through shape-changing wings and to determine their contribution to increasing the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft.

Although morphing technologies have been studied in extensive ground and wind tunnel tests at the subsystem level over the last decade, important top-level measurements such as fuel consumption and changes in flight characteristics, which can only be determined through flight tests, are missing. In addition, the combination of artificial intelligence (AI)-based control with morphing technologies is relatively unexplored, but offers great potential for improvements in flight control and performance.

Proteus test vehicle with schematic representation of potential morphing elements
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In order to achieve these scientific goals while minimizing risk, scaled flight tests with an unmanned aerial system are therefore planned in the morphAIR project. The Futura model from Tomahawk Aviation GmbH will be modified as a commercial aircraft platform and flown at the national test center for unmanned aerial systems in Cochstedt. The test vehicle bears the designation "PROTEUS" and has a wingspan of 2.5 m, a maximum take-off weight of approx. 30 kg and a maximum flight speed of approx. 300 km/h. The modified elements include in particular variable shape leading and trailing edges using compliant mechanisms, hybrid composite materials and active material systems. Unconventional shape changes such as changes to the wing area, wingspan, winglet position, aspect ratio, etc. are to be designed and tested in the laboratory for flight tests in possible follow-up projects.

Data

Project

morphAIR - Morphing Technologies & Artificial Intelligence Research Group

Runtime

2023 - 2025

Contact person

Lennart Kracke

Participating institutes and facilities

Institute of Flight Systems

The Institute of Flight Systems (FT) has been active in the topics of flight mechanics and measurement and system technology of all flying systems at the DLR site Braunschweig since 1953.

Institute of Lightweight Systems

The DLR Institute of Lightweight Systems has the know-how for the design and realisation of adaptable, efficient composite structures and lightweight systems.

Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology

The Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology is a leading research institute in the field of aerodynamics/aeroacoustics of airplanes and aerothermodynamics of space vehicles.

National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The National Experimental Test Centre for Unmanned Aircraft Systems will serve as a cornerstone for the further development of UAS technologies and thereby play a pioneering part in the enhancement of scientific and economic progress in the field of UAS.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Competence Center

The research facility in Cochstedt is dedicated to the topics of electric flight with a focus on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).