DARPA CRANE X-Plane: The Aircraft with No Moving Parts going to High Places

RHOEN EATE DEPUTY EDITOR

Airplanes. Love them, hate them, berate them, regardless of your stance on the somewhat controversial mode of transport, we can all agree that they are a revolutionary way of getting from A to B.

Keeping in line with technological advances and the race to a more sustainable future, The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) developed a new “X-Plane” concept. The “X-Plane” concept removes all of the tedious moving external control surfaces such as drop elevators, flaps, and rudders. This results in a significant reduction in atmospheric drag, a dramatic increase in fuel efficiency, and a complete up-turn of a century’s worth of aviation design practice.

DARPA commissioned Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, to achieve the feat of creating the experimental aircraft without any moving parts. Although the minute details are kept relatively hush, it is known that the aircraft will operate using Active Flow Control (AFC).

AFC employs a mix of methods to ensure a safe and efficient flight, such as manipulating jets of air or electric discharges to shape the flow of air around the aircraft, and in turn, dictating its flight trajectory. The plans for the aircraft’s main engine is yet to be publicly confirmed, but from concept design observations, it is estimated that the vehicle will be powered with a single jet engine.

Another posing question is how the propulsion system will operate.

As far as aesthetics are concerned, the modern aircraft keeps in line with its futuristic concept with a contemporary design. The X-Plane dons a coplanar joined wing - a design resembling two triangles on either side of the aircraft – which uses two forward wings and two aft wings, in contrast to the V-shaped wing seen on traditional commercial and military aircraft.

“Using a 25% scale model, Aurora conducted tests over four weeks at a wind tunnel facility in San Diego, California,” states an Aurora press release

In the young stages of Phase 1, Aurora had already accomplished significant wind tunnel testing of mini, prototype models with mock AFC components.

“Over 14,000 data points were collected, including 8,860 AFC control power points, forming the foundation for a flight-quality aerodynamic database to enable rapid execution in future program phases.”

With hopes hanging high, DARPA may to proceed to Phase 3 which would entail the production of a 3,175 kg prototype, with a 9 metre wingspan. Optimistically, flight testing might commence in 2025.

Apart from progress for the sake of progress, why would we even want a new-and-improved airplane de- to protect organs and usually contain immune cells. The suggestion of a similar membrane in the brain was brought up by Møllgård, who focuses on brain barrier systems in his research.

This new breakthrough provides opportunities to approach neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimers, from a new angle. It is hoped that by studying the SLYM and its functions, vital advancements can be made in our understanding of the brain.