New X-56A Aircraft to Examine Flutter

Bethany Whitfield

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:48 PM ET

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X-56A U.S. Air Force

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force introduced the X-56A, an experimental unmanned aircraft designed to research and combat "flutter," a dangerous aerodynamic phenomenon.
Flutter is an aerodynamic effect where wing vibrations cause increased structural load, potentially leading to wing failure, particularly in lightweight, flexible high-altitude aircraft.
The X-56A features an innovative dynamic wing equipped with sensors and flaps that detect and adapt to destructive vibrations by efficiently dispersing the load, offering an agile solution without adding wing weight.
The aircraft will undergo testing at Edwards AF Base and NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, with potential benefits extending from military reconnaissance to commercial aviation.

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The U.S. Air Force unveiled the X-56A last week, its newest experimental aircraft specifically crafted to explore ways to protect against flutter.

Flutter is an aerodynamic effect – one that has caused a number of fatal accidents over the years – that occurs when the vibrations of an aircraft’s wing trigger a potentially dangerous increase in load. The phenomenon can cause enough stress to lead to wing failure and is most threatening to high altitude aircraft with lightweight, flexible wings.