A Conceptual Development of a Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Variable Camber Morphing Wing

This study describes the development of a morphing wing concept for a Portuguese Air Force Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), the UAS-30. Nowadays, optimized fuel efficiency is a primary requirement in the aerospace industry, and it can be significantly improved by designing adaptive wings which can change their shape in flight to achieve better performance. The UAV research field had concentrated a great industrial effort in the past years by focusing on more intelligent flight technologies but neglecting new approaches using smart materials for developing new wing concepts. Doing the blending between composite structures and smart materials is the perfect way to combine structural robustness and breathtaking mechanical properties while increasing flight performance outputs. By developing a new smart structure, based on a Two Way Shape Memory Alloy honeycomb core with a flexible outer surface, this study proves that it is possible to develop a lighter, more efficient and higher payload capability UAV