Boeing has begun several months of flights with its ecoDemonstrator 757 to evaluate new technologies to improve commercial aviation's efficiency, reduce noise and carbon emissions....
// boeing.mediaroom.com
Demonstrated increased rudder effectiveness in wind-tunnel tests
// aviationweek.com
Applications in Active Flow and Noise Control Active flow and noise control methods will be employed to enhance the efficiency of commercial and military aircraft through innovative aircraft configurations. As a result future aircraft will be quieter and induce less drag, thereby requiring less fuel and shorter distances for take off and landing, ultimately resulting in quieter and safer airports with higher traffic densities.
NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center engineers located in Edwards, California, are working on an increasingly complex aircraft called the Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Lower Drag, or Prandtl-D.
// www.nasa.gov
X-56A: Breaking the Flutter Barrier The X-56A is an unmanned multiple use technology demonstrator designed to test active flutter suppression and gust load alleviation incorporating advanced control technology. The technologies demonstrated by the X-56A are vital to the successful development of the slender, lightweight, high-aspect-ratio wings that could be used by future transports and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance UASs to increase aircraft performance and lower the vehicle fly away and operating costs.
The first flight of the Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Lower Drag, or Prandtl-D No. 3, completed a set of flight tests on Oct. 28.
// www.nasa.gov