45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics & Materials Conference AIAA 2004-1807

19 - 22 April 2004, Palm Springs, California

Morphing Inflatable Wing Development for Compact

Package Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

David Cadogan* and Tim Smith†

ILC Dover, Frederica, DE 19946

Frank Uhelsky‡
ILC Dover, Frederica, DE 19946

and

Matt MacKusick§
ILC Dover, Frederica, De 19946

Abstract

M any military and commercial applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been identified and
numerous vehicles are under development. Many of these vehicles have a need to stow their wings and
control surfaces into very small volumes to permit gun launch or packaging into aircraft mounted aerial drop
assemblies. One technology that has shown promise in achieving this goal is the inflatable wing. Coincidentally,
aircraft developers and researchers have identified a need for aircraft components that can morph to provide
performance enhancements over traditional wing and tail assemblies, through the elimination of mechanical
actuation system complexity and improved aerodynamics. The combination of the inflatable and morphing system
technologies has lead to a unique approach for small UAV platforms with deployable, controllable wings that may
also facilitate transition through multiple flight regimes.
Inflatable wings have been in existence for decades and have found application in manned aircraft, UAVs,
munitions control surfaces, and Lighter Than Air (LTA) vehicles. Recent system design challenges have ushered
advances in the areas of materials, manufacturing, and configuration that have advanced this technology into a
practical form for near term application. Inflatable wings can be packed into volumes tens of times smaller than their
deployed volume without damaging the structural integrity of the wing. Deployment can occur on the ground or in
flight in less than one second depending on the size of the wing and the type of inflation system used.
The focus of this paper is to discuss efforts in reshaping, or morphing, the inflatable wing to provide roll control
through wing warping, i.e. actuation of the aft end of the wing to achieve changes in section camber. Several
approaches have been developed that lend themselves to camber control via locally altering the geometry of the
wing. Apart from use as a stand-alone aerodynamic surface on a small UAV, the inflatable assemblies can also be
used as an aspect ratio increasing device on a larger aircraft to enable a more radical change in wing configuration.
This approach serves to improve system efficiencies across changing flight regimes, allowing transitions from high-
speed target approach to low speed loitering.
Several actuation methods that are applicable to flexible structures have been studied and traded-off. Actuators
with strong force generation capability (i.e. high blocked stress) can be added to inflatable structures to alter the
length of the load bearing textile components of inflatable wings, thus altering overall shape. Performance
requirements for such actuators were derived from a consideration of useful roll rate in a representative aircraft.
Other requirements were also compiled and include such items as high frequency response, ability to be folded and
packed, low mass, low power consumption, and high cycle life. Some of the actuator types considered include
piezoelectric actuators, electro-active polymers, shape memory alloys, pneumatic chambers, nastic cells, and
distributed motor-actuator assemblies.

*
Manager, Research & Technology, AIAA Associate Fellow. Cadogan@[Link].
†
Principal Investigator, AIAA member.
‡
Project Engineer.
§
Design Engineer, AIAA member.
AIAA 2004-1807 SDM Adaptive Structures Forum

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Copyright © 2004 by ILC Dover. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission.
 Examples of morphing inflatable wing configurations, actuator systems, and test data will be presented and
discussed in this paper.

I. Introduction
Numerous UAVs are under development for varying military and commercial uses. One segment of the UAV
market calls for the ability to package the wings and tail surfaces inside the fuselage to enable gun launch or
compact carriage mounting for airdrop applications from a larger aircraft. This allows the user to launch a sensor
package or munition to a target from many miles away using a large bore gun system, or airdrop small UAVs at a
safe distance from the target. Once in the air and at a specified velocity, the UAV deploys its wings and tail, and
then performs its mission. Similarly, it has been noted that for several portable UAV applications, highly robust
aerodynamic surfaces that pack into small volumes are of importance. The highly damage resistant inflatable wing
can facilitate human transport of small systems, transport using small vehicles, and various logistic advantages
related to landings and quick turn-around.
Morphing of the wings of aircraft have been studied by numerous institutions1-6. Much of the work in the field is
centered on altering the airfoil shape to provide aerodynamic control or changes in the flight characteristics of the
vehicle at varying velocities. More recently, morphing researchers have studied methods to radically alter the
planform shape of a wing7. This has the potential to dramatically improve a vehicle’s performance by allowing a
single aircraft design to traverse through very different flight regimes. The inflatable wing can be used to address
both needs. In the latter case, it can be used as a deployable tip extension of a conventional wing to increase its
aspect ratio. A simple application would be a UAV that rapidly reaches its destination with short conventional
wings, then deploys tip extensions at altitude to loiter. If used as a munition, it could drop its tips and dive on the
target when needed. This approach employs non-retractable extensions. However, it is conceptually possible to
construct a system with retractable inflatable wings to allow a continuous alteration in flight.
The approach to morphing whereby a wing of fixed planform undergoes geometric modifications to achieve
aerodynamic control is the focus of this paper. One of the greatest challenges to overcome when morphing a
conventional rigid wing is its inherent stiffness, or limited aeroelasticity. Researchers have studied methods of
mechanically reducing the stiffness of conventional wings to allow them to be morphed5,8,9. This adds complexity to
the system and compromises wing mass and reliability. Alternatively, inflatable wings can be designed to be
inherently less stiff in desired ways through materials modifications (weave, fiber selection, etc.) and cross-section
design, without altering base structural performance. Therefore, it is possible to add actuators in targeted locations to
warp the wing as the Wright brothers did on many of their aircraft, or to actuate the trailing edge in a smooth
continuous form such that it acts as an aileron or flap. The importance of the smooth continuous shape has been
noted in several studies as an advantage over conventional flaps because of improved aerodynamic
performance2,3,5,6. An approach such as this will enhance flow attachment thus improving aerodynamic efficiency.
This translates to reduced fuel consumption over the duration of the flight – a critical need for UAV operation.
ILC has participated in several previous and ongoing studies of morphing inflatable wings. Attempts have been
made to focus each of these studies in slightly different directions to obtain a broad understanding of the technology.
The guiding motivation for the work has been to develop a deployable UAV inflatable wing that will provide
aerodynamic control via small embedded actuators. This approach has the potential to be of lower mass in
comparison to mechanical technologies, especially if integrated multi-functional materials such as electronic textiles
or membranes can be applied. Electronic textiles and membranes are an emerging class of materials that combine
electrical components directly into the base materials. These materials can be made to perform various functions
such as changing shape via constriction, producing and storing power, acting as sensors or embedded antennas, or as
microcircuits. As a precursor to fully integrated actuators, research involving PZT (lead zirconium titanate) actuators
is being conducted by California State University San Bernardino in conjunction with NASA Dryden Flight
Research Center and ILC Dover. Work is in process to assess the effectiveness of a patch actuator mounted directly
to an inflatable wing. The actuator is sized roughly to be 2-3% of wing area. Furthermore, research is underway
under the auspices of the University of Kentucky’s Mechanical Engineering Department and ILC Dover involving
SMA (shape memory alloy) deformation cables to facilitate in-flight demonstration of inflatable wings.
The majority of the work presented in this paper was performed under subcontract to Swales Aerospace under an
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract, with funding provided by NASA Langley Research Center. Under
this contract, ILC Dover pursued the development of several morphing inflatable wing concepts, structural analysis
of the assemblies, and manufacturing and test of prototypes. The dynamic analysis was conducted by Swales
Aerospace. NASA LaRC provided program oversight and technical guidance, and conducted CFD analysis.

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 II. Background
Inflatable and rigidizable wings have been under development for some time and have been developed for
several UAV applications10. ILC Dover demonstrated a 5-foot wingspan inflatable flying wing (the Apteron) in the
late 1970s with great success. Several development programs for UAVs with inflatable wings have been conducted
over the past few years, and inflatable wings have recently been manufactured by ILC Dover and flight-tested by the
University of Kentucky and the University of Maryland in 2003 and 2004 (Fig. 1). Flight testing of morphing wings
is also planned at these locations.

Figure 1: Inflatable Wing Flight Testing

The strength and stiffness of the inflatable wing are dictated by the type of material used, the cross-section
design of the wing, and the internal pressure. It is favorable to reduce the internal pressure to as low a value as
possible to reduce risk, reduce mass of the inflation system and structure, and reduce leakage rates. Optimization of
these variables is possible through use of a design that is comprised of a series of fabric spars that run span wise, and
are attached to an upper and lower fabric restraint10. A polymeric bladder is positioned within the assembly to
contain the inflation gas. This approach maximizes the area moment of inertia of the cross section; thus minimizing
the inflation pressure required to prevent buckling.
The surface of the inflated structure has a bumpy appearance, as inflatable structures approximate the shape of a
cylinder or sphere upon inflation (Fig. 2). In this case, the wing appears to be a series of intersecting cylinders. This
geometry has a positive effect on wing performance at low Reynolds numbers (< 500,000) and helps maintain flow
attachment. However, for higher Reynolds number
applications, a skin is added to the surface of the airfoil. A
smooth fabric or film is selected to reduce aerodynamic
drag. The skin is attached and indexed to the underlying
structural fabric restraint such that it bridges the bumps and
closely approximates the shape of the nominal airfoil NACA 8318
section. The skin and underlying structure are compliant
such that they pose no obstacle to folding, packing, and
deployment of the wing. Additionally the skin exhibits a
degree of porosity to prevent the formation of pressure
variations between the skin and restraint, thus eliminating NACA 0018
the potential for displacement of the skin from the
prescribed airfoil shape. Both the wing restraint and the
wing skin can be used as locations for installing morphing
actuators. Attaching at the restraint generally supports
localized change in airfoil profile, while the skin facilitates NACA 4318 Showing Skin & Trailing Edge
distribution of actuation forces across the wing.
One of the more notable features of an inflatable wing Figure 2: Inflatable wing profile
is its durability. The materials are robust and can be packed
and deployed numerous times as required. The use of the inflatable precludes damage in shipping, handling, flight,
and landing, through the impact resiliency of the materials and natural impact absorption capabilities of an inflated
structure. Similarly, the wing can recover shape in flight if the load limit is exceeded and the wing buckles. The use
of low dielectric materials also reduces the radar cross section of the vehicle.

III. Baseline Wing Configuration

An inflatable wing design representative of those used by ILC Dover on recent UAV applications was chosen as
the platform for the development of a morphing prototype wing (Fig. 3). Relevant specifications for this wing are:
NACA 4318 nominal airfoil, wing area of 7.2 ft2, 6 ft span, 17 in root chord, aspect ratio of 5.4. The wings were

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designed for use on a 100 lb vehicle operating at a nominal cruise speed of 90 knots. Worst case loading condition is
a very modest 2 G’s.

Figure 3: Baseline Inflatable Wing Configuration

The material used in the manufacture of the wings is Vectran, a high strength liquid crystal polymer with
excellent performance properties for UAV wings. The design of the fabric and seams is dictated by the wing’s
inflation pressure, which is driven by vehicle weight and the maximum accelerations the vehicle will undergo.
The development of a morphing capability for the wing depends on an understanding of the wing’s internal
structural and inflation loads. The morphing elements must be added in a manner that minimizes any reduction in
fiber pre-load caused by the wing’s internal inflation pressure, otherwise the structural stiffness of the wing may be
compromised. The loads in the wing were studied in detail, but a simplified analysis is presented here to
demonstrate the approach and the general loads that were considered in selecting actuation systems. The hoop stress
in the cylindrical bumps is governed by the expression:

σ = Ρ∗r

where: σ = Skin stress (hoop direction)

P = Internal pressure
r = Radius of curvature

Since the radius of curvature of the bumps decreases as one moves from the maximum wing thickness toward
the trailing edge, the skin stress correspondingly drops. Thus, actuators that deform the wing by overcoming fabric
hoop stress will have reduced demands placed on them if they are located nearer the trailing edge. A full analysis of
the inflatable wing at the operating conditions noted above shows that a nominal inflation pressure of 48 psig is
required to prevent the wing from buckling under flight loads. At this inflation pressure, the hoop stress in the region
of wing near the tip varies from 52 lb/in in the largest cell (~1/3 chord), to 14 lb/in in the smallest cell (trailing
edge). (Note that stress in a thin shell structure such as an inflatable is typically expressed in lb/in. Stress may be
calculated in a traditional manner, but then both sides of the equation are multiplied by the fabric thickness,
removing thickness from the calculation, yielding stress expressed in lb/in.)
The derived stresses were used as the basis of development for each of the morphing wing actuation systems.

IV. Morphing Requirements

In order to determine an optimal system configuration based on a given type of actuator, a set of requirements
was adopted to govern a configuration trade study:
• Maintains tensile load in fibers (critical to design of an inflatable)
• Distributed usage over entire wing desirable for scaling and adaptability
• Low weight: < 5 lb per half span target, including morphing system
• Low packed volume: < 150 in3 for the total system
• Able to be folded, packed efficiently, and deployed multiple times (>50)
• Can be integrated / repaired after wing manufacture
• Fail safe with redundancy considerations
• Maintains aerodynamics, i.e. the devices which cause shape alteration do not disturb the airflow
• Simple to manufacture - minimize specialty tooling and machine needs – low cost
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 • Low abrasion potential between actuators and wing restraint
Similarly, a set of criteria was adopted to govern a set of trade studies on the actuation system:
• Low power consumption
• Rapid reaction speed (>1Hz)
• Low weight (<10% of wing weight)
• Able to be folded, packed efficiently, and deployed multiple times (>50)
• High blocked stress
• Fail safe with redundancy considerations where possible
• Simple and inexpensive to integrate
• Distributed usage over entire wing desirable for scaling and adaptability
• Maintain position over time i.e. minimize creep and hysteresis
• Low materials and integration cost
• Available power source - existing vehicle batteries/system often provide low voltage DC
Of particular interest in the development of the system level requirements was the identification of a desirable
roll rate that could be used as a design target. From a survey of typical aircraft configurations, roll rates among
designs were compared in an effort to identify average and bounding values. A roll rate of 45 degrees per second, on
par with a Cessna 152, was determined to be a reasonable design goal. A first order inertia model was constructed,
modeling the inflatable wings attached to a UAV-representative fuselage with accompanying tail structure from a
previous application. The model made use of the mass properties of the wings, fuselage, and tail to determine the
mass moment of inertia about the configuration’s roll axis. This value was inserted into Newton’s second law in the
form:

τ=Ι∗α

Where: τ represents the roll torque (ft-lb)

I is the mass moment of inertia (slug-ft2)
α is the angular acceleration of the vehicle about the roll axis (rad/sec2)

For simplicity of calculation, a constant angular acceleration was assumed, the magnitude of which would be
sufficient to rotate the vehicle from rest to 45 degrees in 1 second. Obviously, if this angular acceleration continued
to be present, the roll rate would continue to rise, but for the purposes of the study, this simplified approach was
deemed appropriate. Thus, substituting θ = .785 rad (45 deg), and t = 1 sec into a formula for rotary motion with
constant acceleration:

α = 2*θ/t2

yields:

α = 1.57 rad/sec2

Based on a calculated inertia for the vehicle of 0.42 slug-ft2 it was determined that the system would need to
generate a roll moment of 0.66 ft-lb to rotate from rest through 45 degrees in one second. A comparison of this roll
moment requirement to the capabilities of the developed system will be presented later in this paper.

V. Concept Development & Trade Studies

Numerous concepts were developed that leveraged the attributes of the inflatable wing to create a morphing
structure. The generation of ideas was separated into two areas - the configuration of the wing and its methodology
in morphing, and the actuator technology. A trade study of each area was conducted to identify the top options and
then the results of both areas were combined to formulate complete solutions. The concepts were evaluated against

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the requirements noted above, and weighting factors were assigned for each of the requirements to prioritize their
importance.

The configuration options that were developed are noted below, and the items that were selected for further
evaluation are presented in detail later in the paper. The configuration options identified include:
• Nastic patches on bumps (pneumatic)
• Skin constriction
• Restraint bump flattening
• Trailing edge deforming plates
• Fan patches & cables (foreshortening)
• Restraint bump constriction
• Capstan tensioning at junctions (internal)
• Capstan tensioning at junctions (under skin)
• Pneumatic pylons (constricting braid)
• Nastic patches on bumps (electro-mech)
• Inflatable torque tube
• Large patch actuator for global bending
• X-spars with variable pressures
• H spars with an elastomeric restraint
Italicized items indicate the options identified for further study. Details of the leading options are presented later
in the paper. Various permutations were also considered but not noted here. The items selected for further study
were not only selected for their anticipated performance, but also because they were collectively different enough to
provide a wide range of understanding in the overall study.
The driving factors which lead to the selection of the leading concepts highlight the strengths and weaknesses of
each concept. The nastic patches integrate well with inflatable structures and offer a simple approach to shape
change, but may be limited by response time. The skin constriction method integrates nicely and provides a
mechanical force that is simple to apply and control, but is limited by actuator capability. The restraint bump
flattening method integrates well and is simple to control, but is limited by actuator availability and packing volume.
The trailing edge plates that deform assist with creating a sharp trailing edge and enable a variety of actuator
options, but may be more susceptible to deployment damage. The use of fan patches and constriction cables is
attractive in its simplicity and potential large force generation, but must be controlled regarding abrasion, restraint
unloading, and local deformations at fan patches.

The same approach was used to identify actuation technologies and select the leading candidates. The
technologies considered include:
• Piezoelectric / Piezoceramic
• Pneumatic
• Electro-Active Polymer
• Shape Memory Alloy
• Piezoelectric Motor
• Electromagnets
• Electric Motor
• Hydraulic
• Shape Memory Polymer
The items that are italicized were the options identified for further study. The piezoelectric/piezoceramic
actuators provide high blocked stress with acceptable strain, but are susceptible to handling issues. Pneumatic
devices offer the potential for high force generation and large deflections, but are slow in response rate because of
fluid transfer issues. Electro-Active Polymers integrate well, but are limited by the current capabilities of the

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material regarding blocked stress and strain. Shape memory alloys are simple to apply and good in compact
applications but are limited in response time. Advances are being made in the electroactive materials that will
enhance their applicability at they mature.

VI. Nastic Structures

Nastic structures are biomimetic devices whereby materials are activated to generate large strains while still
performing a structural function11. The basic concept is simple. A series of parallel tubes into which a fluid of
varying pressure may be pumped is arranged adjacent to
one another. As fluid is pumped into the cells, they
transition from a flat to a circular cross section. This
both foreshortens the cells and provides a force
generating capability, with increasing pressure resulting
in higher forces. However, there is a limit to the useful
force that can be developed, because the angle of the
cell wall at the point where it terminates increases to
perpendicular as the cell approaches a circular section.
This causes a reduction in the resultant force that can be
transmitted (Fig. 4).
Examples of nastic structures include numerous
organic plants, which are able to modulate the internal
pressure of microscopic fluid filled cells to generate
non-symmetric strains over the cross section of their Foreshortening Force Limitation
stems11. This provides them with the capability of
movement, allowing them to move toward and track a Figure 4: Nastic Concepts
light source. This effect can also occur rapidly in some
plant structures as demonstrated by the Venus Fly Trap.
As applied to the morphing of an inflatable wing, a series of cylindrical inflatable tubes can be oriented span
wise along the wing, pneumatically isolated from the inflation volume of the wing. A series of such tubes can be
located on both the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. By
independently varying the pressure within the tubes in the Airfoil Upper Surface -
upper and lower surface, the airfoil trailing edge can be made Cells Deflated
to constrict and bend in the direction of the inflated cells, as
seen in Fig. 5.
The force requirements for this method of actuation are
based on the skin stress of the un-inflated nastic cells, which
is linearly proportional to wing inflation pressure. Inflating
the nastic cells such that they overcome this skin stress will
enable geometric change and thus morphing.
Developmental testing was performed with a nastic cell
mockup to assess the concept’s viability as a morphing
technology and to better understand methods of Airfoil Lower Surface -
implementation. A test article was fabricated with cell Cells Inflated
diameters of 0.84” and installed in an Instron tensile test
Figure 5: Nastic Morphing Concept
machine (Fig. 6). When inflated to pressures of 50, 100, and
135 psig, tensile skin stresses of 134, 188, and 212 lb/in respectively were developed, as measured according to an
ASTM D5034-95 grab tensile test. These force values compare favorably with the skin stress due to wing inflation
pressure calculated earlier, which range from 14 to 52 lb/in.
While these results looked promising, spreadsheet calculations indicate that a set of nastic tubes suitably sized
for the inflatable wing test article would have difficulty generating the tensile force necessary to overcome the skin
stress due to wing inflation pressure. There was also a question as to whether enough displacement would be
available, given the small number of tubes that could be placed on a wing. Further, calculation and observation
indicate that the approach would suffer from slow reaction times, and would require more support hardware than
mass limitations would permit. Thus, the nastic concept was not pursued beyond the test article.
If the nastic cells were implemented on a wing that was large enough to allow the use of a reasonable number of
tubes, and if the internal inflation pressure within that wing was not excessive, then the approach may have potential

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 Figure 6: Nastic Tensile Test at 20, 50 and 100 psig (left to right)
for longer term shape change applications such as configuration changes between take off and landing, or between
cruise and dash. In this case, it is estimated that the mass increase due to the nastics would not be excessive, perhaps
in the neighborhood of 5 – 10 %. However, the associated support hardware could add significantly more – items
such as pumps, proportional control valves, etc.

VII. Bump Flattening

Morphing of an inflatable wing can be achieved using a technique called “bump flattening”, in which actuators
are applied directly to the wing restraint. A piezoelectric actuator is bonded first to a rigid substrate, and then to the
wing restraint fabric. When energized, a force is generated perpendicular to the plane of the actuator, resulting in a
flattening of the individual bumps caused by the wing spar spacing. By flattening individual bumps in series, a net
increase in run length is generated, resulting in deflection of the wing’s trailing edge (Fig. 7).

PZT Actuator and Direction of Motion

48 psig ~1 in

~25lb/in

Figure 7: Bump Flattening Concept

This approach requires the actuator to overcome the wing’s internal inflation pressure. It must generate an out of
plane force equal to the inflation pressure multiplied by the actuated area. A prototype was assembled to evaluate the
approach. The actuator selected was a commercial off the shelf Macro Fiber Composite actuator from Smart
Material, measuring 4.3” x 1.5”, and bonded to a steel plate, 0.010” thick. A single actuator was able to span
multiple bumps, so it was deformed to follow the contour of the wing (Fig. 8). Based on the area of an actuator over
a single bump, a force of approximately 72 lbs was required to overcome internal inflation pressure. It was found
that the actuator was unable to develop the necessary force. Similar actuators available from FACE were also
considered in the application, but yielded the same result.

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 Figure 8: Bump Flattening Prototype

Despite unsatisfactory results in the current configuration, bump flattening has not been ruled out as a viable
morphing technology. Actuator optimization, including stacking, use of bimorphs, and plate refinement, were not
conducted within the study, and the technology continues to mature. The approach appears valid for scaled cases
where the inflation and applied loads are more manageable. The mass of such a system, should it prove viable, is
expected to be quite low – on the order of 5% of the mass of the wing.

VIII. Trailing Edge Deflection

One of the most promising morphing configurations for near term application was found to be a series of trailing
edge actuation devices. This approach modifies a baseline inflatable wing configuration with PZT actuators that flex
the trailing edge of the wing. Unlike ailerons however, the actuators reside under the wing skin, presenting an
uninterrupted surface to the air stream.
The actuators were considered in both unimorph and bimorph configurations. In the bimorph configuration, two
MFC actuators from Smart Material were bonded to a metallic substrate. The actuators expand or contract in
response to the application of a positive or negative voltage12. By applying opposite polarity voltages to the upper
and lower actuator, the substrate is caused to flex (Fig. 9).

Figure 9: Trailing Edge Actuator Concept of Operations & Sample Unit

Investigations were conducted to assess the performance of several actuator configurations, in addition to the
bimorph configuration just discussed. For each configuration, the actuator was set up as a cantilever, with one end
clamped to a tabletop, and the other end free to move. The actuators can operate with a range of voltages from –500
VDC to + 1500 VDC. For the case of the bimorph configuration, a single power supply was used with a voltage
dividing circuit arranged to provide a maximum of +1500 VDC to one actuator while applying –500 VDC to the
other. Due to the nature of the actuators, current draw is negligible. Voltage was applied to the actuator with the

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polarity such that the free end of the actuator curled up from the tabletop. With the actuator so energized, a gauge
was used to measure the force required push the free end flat to the table (back to its de-energized state). The
displacement between energized and de-energized states was also measured. Several actuator configurations were
assessed: unimorph (single actuator bonded to substrate), bimorph (two actuators as discussed above), in addition to
varying the material and thickness of the substrate. Experimental results are shown in Table 1. It was observed that
there was a trade-off between force and displacement. The bimorph configuration with a .0145” aluminum substrate
was selected for integration to a wing, as it was judged to provide the best blend of force and displacement. It was
found that this configuration resulted in an effective control surface deflection of 3 degrees at maximum actuation.

Table 1: MFC Actuator Test Results

Total Force to
Applied Voltage Displacement Flatten
Configuration (Volts) (inches) (pounds)
Unimorph + 500 0.063
0.015" Steel Substrate + 1000 0.125 0.50
+ 1500 0.188 0.90

Unimorph + 500 0.141 0.30

0.0145" Alum Substrate + 1000 0.266 0.50
+ 1500 0.391 0.60

Unimorph + 500 0.109 0.20

0.0195" Alum Substrate + 1000 0.188 0.40
+ 1500 0.281 0.65

Bimorph +1500/-500
0.125 1.60
0.015" Steel Substrate simultaneous

Bimorph +1500/-500
0.188 1.20
0.0145" Alum Substrate simultaneous

The actuators are attached to the upper surface of the

wing, extending rearward and terminating at the nominal
trailing edge location (Fig. 10). The actuators are
arranged with span wise gaps to facilitate folding and
packing of the wing. Upon application of a voltage, the
actuators curve upward or downward, depending on the
polarity of voltage applied. When the voltage is
removed, the actuator returns to its nominal un-deflected
position. On the development unit, an elastic fabric was
stretched from the trailing edge of the upper wing
surface to the trailing edge of the lower wing surface to
enclose the actuators, suggesting how the actuators
could be covered by a skin. Together, the actuator and
elastic fabric provide a sharp trailing edge to the wing. Figure 10: Trailing Edge Configuration
An alternate configuration is possible, with an actuator

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attached to both the top and bottom surface, instead of just the top. This could potentially increase the amount of
force available for deflection.

A prototype assembly was manufactured and bench tested (Fig. 11).

Bench Top Mockup with Covering Segmented Piezo Actuators - Piezo Actuated Trailing Edge
Cover Removed Side View

Figure 11 – Trailing Edge Deflection Morphing Wing Prototype

During actuation under cruise conditions, there are a number of loads exerted on both the actuator bimorph and
the assembly attachment point to the inflatable wing. The elastic fabric loads the bimorph, imparting a downward
bending moment at the wing attachment point. When actuated, the curved bimorph will experience aerodynamic
loading that induces an upward bending moment estimated at 0.3 inch pound at the same point. The elastic fabric
can be tensioned such that it will assist in combating aerodynamic loads during actuation. The relative stiffness of
the attachment point to the wing and the bimorph will determine if the actuator assembly will tend to flatten out, or
maintain shape and transmit the load directly to the attachment point. The fabric must be tensioned such that it
resists flutter and transient deflections due to aerodynamic buffeting, but does not create so much force as to yield
the bimorph substrate.
An analysis was conducted to assess the design’s ability to satisfy performance requirements. Measurements of
actuator deflection were used to calculate the lift increase that could be expected during trailing edge deflection13.
DesignFOIL, a commercial airfoil design and analysis software tool, was used to calculate the difference in lift per
unit span between the actuated and un-actuated states. The results are shown in Fig. 12.
The net wing lift changes from 96 lb to 108 lb when the trailing edge is actuated. In addition to an increase in
lift, there is an outboard shift in span wise center of pressure. The location of the center of pressure with respect to
the wing root shifts from 15.3 in when un-actuated, to 16.8 in when actuated - a shift in moment arm of 1.5 in. If one
half span is actuated, and the other is not, there will be a 28.8 ft-lb roll moment generated at the maximum actuation
of 3 degrees. This is well in excess of the target value of 0.66 ft-lb identified above.

Lift Force per Unit Span from Centerline

4.0
Nominal
3.5
Lift per Unit Span (pounds/inch)

Actuated
3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5 ∆Cl : from 0.95 to 1.23

NACA 4318 @ 4o angle of attack
1.0 3o plain flap deflection @ 78% chord
Half of span actuated
0.5 Re = 1.1 x 106

0.0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Span Station from Wing Root (inches)

Figure 12: Calculated Lift Force per Unit Span

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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
 IX. Summary
The morphing studies conducted developed considerable data for the design of a morphing inflatable wing. As a
result of these research and development efforts, progress was made in several new technology areas including the
advancement of nastic structures technology and the successful use of piezoelectric actuators to form a controllable
trailing edge. The concepts developed are leading toward the manufacture of inflatable wings for small UAVs with
embedded aerodynamic control, and may also have application for aspect ratio morphing of larger UAVs.
An intriguing approach that may have future application potential was the incorporation of nastics technology.
Although the scope of the funded development effort did not allow prolonged study of the technology,
advancements were made in the understanding of the capabilities of the actuators, with respect to force and
displacement capacity and inflation pressures required. Further advancement of this technology may yield
breakthroughs where space constraints and available packing volumes limit the application of conventional actuation
technologies.
The flattening of restraint bumps on an inflated wing structure presented several challenges, not the least of
which was the force required to overcome the wing skin stress resulting from high internal wing pressures. During
the course of development and testing, it was found that the current generation of piezoelectric actuators could not
generate enough force to overcome the internal pressure of the inflated wing. Although the configuration studied
was not amenable to the use of these actuators, they may be appropriate once the actuator technology has advanced
to the point that it can generate significantly more force and displacement.
The trailing edge piezo actuator was determined to be a useful method of achieving control capability with a
rapid response rate. It was found that an adequate roll moment could be produced by a control surface that does not
have a definable hinge point or airfoil discontinuity. This is a significant advancement in inflatable UAV wing
design.
As the development of robust morphing inflatable wing technology progresses, and more advanced actuator
technologies are investigated and applied, the morphing inflatable wing will be an attractive option for UAV
applications. Development of an inflatable wing morphing capability builds upon a foundation of inflatable wing
design that has demonstrated that wings can be packed into a small volume and rapidly deployed in both ground-
based and airborne launch modes. The ability of the deployed wings to incorporate control surfaces will bring the
technology to a new level, eliminating the need for large area tail control surfaces. This technology is enabling for
both military and non-military applications. For military purposes, inflatable wing based UAVs can be designed for
gun launch, ground launch or airborne launch modes supporting both reconnaissance and munitions delivery
missions. In the homeland defense arena, UAVs with fully functional, morphing inflatable wings can be used in a
variety of applications from border patrol to surveillance and inspection. Finally, broad commercial applications are
possible and range from airborne observation of crops to inspection of pipelines and power lines. In these instances,
the ability to fly, land, and rapidly repack and relocate the UAV to a new launch location is key to the success of the
mission, and is made possible in part by a morphing inflatable wing.
Although morphing inflatable wing technology is still in its infancy, ILC Dover continues to explore this
enabling technology through several current and planned development efforts.

Acknowledgments
This work was made possible through contributions by several people and organizations by way of technological
support and design development. The authors wish to thank Drs. Lucas Horta, John Wang, and Paresh Parikh at
NASA LaRC Structures & Dynamics Branch, Dr. Sasan Armand of Swales Aerospace, Drs. Jim Murray and Kurt
Kloesel at NASA DFRC, Drs. Jamey Jacobs and Susan Smith, and Andrew Simpson of The University of Kentucky
Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. Tim Usher and Ken Ulibarri of California State University San
Barnardino, and Drs. Darryll Pines and Norman Wereley, and Evandro Valente from the University of Maryland at
College Park for their support and involvement in this work.

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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics