Revolutionary Configurations: Technology Convergence Point

摘要

The Air Force Research Lab, working with industry partners and in collaboration with NASA, has studied and matured more efficient and capable mobility aircraft technologies for the United States Air Force as part of the Revolutionary Configurations for Energy Efficiency program initiated in 2009. Objectives for the program included first uncovering and then investment in technology for enhancement of mobility fleet transport aircraft missions through more productivity in peacetime and expediting critical missions in wartime. A technology maturation effort led to capstone experiments in 2015 and 2016 for a highly integrated Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) design utilizing OverWing Nacelle (OWN) mounting for engines. The results include validated cruise performance, utilizing the NASA Langley National Transonic Facility (NTF) and demonstrated powered high lift, in the Lockheed Martin Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT). The fidelity of these experiments was sufficient to show a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5. Opportunities to leverage mature technologies include multiple future military aircraft mission roles as well as commercial freighters. The next step in technology readiness and reducing acquisition risk requires higher fidelity system demonstration in a more relevant environment, leading to discussions for approaching higher TRL, including a large scale flight demonstration.