High Endurance Aircraft - Structural Improvements

Contact Info John Del Frate Aerospace Projects 661-276-3704 John.H.DelFrate@nasa.gov

To facilitate improvements in the propulsion system and allow for more variety, NASA is interested in structural improvements to the entire craft. Even small improvements can have a significant effect on the length of time the aircraft can stay in flight. Reduction in weight, increased robustness, increased reliability, increased efficiency, decreased cost, and decreased size could all have a dramatic effect on the endurance of the aircraft and variety of uses. NASA is also interested in enhancing understanding of flexible wing aircraft designs.

Related Resources

• Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Site - Dryden Flight Research Center Site
  
• Helios Project Page - Dryden Flight Research Center Project Site
  
• Composites - Langley Research Center Informational Site
  
• Synergistic Airframe-Propulsion Interactions and Integrations - Langley Research Center Technical Report
  
• Development of Stitched, Braided and Woven Composite Structures in the ACT Program and at Langley Research Center (1985 to 1997) - Langley Research Center Technical Report
  
• Evaluation of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft Concept for Reduced Noise and Emissions - Langley and Glenn Research Centers

Keywords

Aerodynamics; Aircraft design; Aircraft performance; Aircraft systems; Autonomous air navigation; Drag reduction; ERAST; Flight mechanics; Fuel reduction; Helios; Propulsion; Structural analysis; Structural dynamics; Unmanned aerial vehicle; Wing flexibility

Last Modified: November 8, 2004
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