Proof-of-Concept Study of Flexible Lattice Variable Sweptback Wing

This paper presents a flexible lattice variable sweptback wing (FLVSW) concept based on the flexible main beam and lattice that allows the sweptback angle to be varied by 80 deg. The whole FLVSW concept is an integral structure consisting of rigid and flexible parts. The rigid parts are the wing ribs that maintain the shape of the wing and transfer the aerodynamic loads. The flexible parts are mainly composed of the flexible main beam and the flexible lattice, which meet the requirements of supporting aerodynamic loads and deformation of the wing. The surface of the FLVSW is divided into parallel partitions by the wing ribs, and each partition is closed by superimposed skin strips. A prototype model was designed and manufactured based on the Talon first-person-view (FPV) platform performance parameters and considering the finite element analysis of the FLVSW concept under the effect of the drive mechanism and aerodynamic loads. Through testing the structural response of the manufactured prototype model under the driving and static deadweight loads, it was demonstrated that the structure could be driven smoothly and exhibited no deleterious deformations at various sweep angles. In this way, the feasibility of the FLVSW drive mechanism and the design process was verified.