Spanwise Adaptive Wing

NASA's Glenn Research Center developed a novel means of articulating the outboard portion of an aircraft wing to create the optimal geometry for given flight conditions. The Spanwise Adaptive Wing (SAW) concept employs a high-force, solid-state Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-based actuator to develop a structurally efficient and reliable method of deflecting a portion of the wing in flight. This ability enables significant increases in lateral-directional stability and control augmentation, thereby enhancing aircraft efficiency by reducing the rudder motion to control yaw.