Taking inspiration from feathered experts in the art of graceful soaring, Airbus has test flown a scale-model airplane that incorporates flapping wingtips which designers say could one day lead to lighter wing designs with less drag.
Airbus Test Flapping Wingtip Concept
Key Takeaways:
- Airbus has test-flown a scale-model airplane, AlbatrossOne, featuring flapping wingtips inspired by the soaring capabilities of albatrosses.
- This design incorporates "semi-aeroelastic hinges" that allow the wingtips to react to turbulence and wind gusts, minimizing stress on the airframe and reducing drag.
- The innovation aims to lead to lighter wing designs with less drag by reducing aerodynamic stresses, with initial test flights already underway.
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