22nd Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Harrogate, UK, 28 August - 1st September, 2000
Paper ICAS 2000-4.3.2

AIRFRAME STRUCTURES TECHNOLOGY FOR FUTURE SYSTEMS

J. M. Manter, D. B. Paul
Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, USA

Keywords: structures technology, certification by analysis, active flow control, multifunctional structures, simulation-based prototyping, affordable composite structures, extreme environment structures

An overview of future structures technology for military air vehicles is given. The overview is prefaced by a discussion of the factors influencing structures research today. The key to meeting affordability and rapid technology insertion is identified as simulation-based prototyping, including certification by analysis. Other enabling structures technology candidates for future systems are discussed, including multi-functional structures, extreme environment structures, affordable composite structures and active flow control for structures applications.

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