Experimental Technique and Verification for Telescopic Morphing Aircraft in Wind Tunnel

The morphing aircraft concept aims to constantly adapt the aerodynamics to different flight stages. The wing is able to adapt to different flight conditions by an adjustable Aspect Ratio (AR). A high AR configuration provides high aerodynamic efficiency, while a low AR configuration, with highly swept wings offers a good maneuverability. As a basic aerodynamic research method, wind tunnel test can effectively obtain the aerodynamic characteristics of morphing aircraft. In order to obtain the aerodynamic characteristics of the morphing aircraft more accurately, a new experimental technique is proposed and verified in wind tunnel. The results indicate that the morphing aircraft model designed by this technique can realize both wing movement and the aerodynamic parameters measurement, and the wing deformation can significantly improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. Using this experimental technique can effectively capture the changes of aerodynamic characteristics caused by wing movement, and the experimental results are accurate and repeatable. The method is suitable for wind tunnel test.