NASA Morpher, page 1
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Topic started on 27-3-2004 @ 12:57 AM by Shugo
Some interesting stuff here. Forgive me if there is already a post like this, search didn't show anything.

NASA Shapshifting Experement known to most people as the Morpher, lately hasn't been in the news at all in terms of NASA and aircraft news... or any for that matter.

So here is some info for people out there who have not heard of this aircraft... or simply want more info:

www.sciencenews.org...

Going beyond wings that merely flex, scientists and engineers have also been developing aircraft surfaces capable of molding themselves from one shape into another, much as arm muscles bulge and flatten. These possibilities arise largely from the use of so-called smart materials, a broad range of substances that can shorten, elongate, flex, and otherwise respond mechanically to electricity, heat, light, or magnetic fields (SN: 11/22/97, p. 328: www.sciencenews.org...). Even on a modest scale, such reshaping of aircraft contours could greatly enhance vehicle control and performance.

Info on structures can be found here:
www.darpa.mil...

Mission updates:
www.dfrc.nasa.gov...
www.dfrc.nasa.gov...

An aircraft capable of changing its features by reacting and adapting to diverse, multi-variable conditions in flight is the kind of vehicle that could typify the future.

However, don't expect the technology to immediately materialize into some of the far-out conceptual aircraft capable of radically "morphing" their shape, said Anna McGowan, Morphing Aircraft project manager at NASA's Langley Research Center. In fact, it will likely be in much smaller ways that the technology will first be seen.

Hope that's some insite for some people. If anyone else knows anything about this project I'd like to hear it.

[Edited on 27-3-2004 by Shugo]


reply posted on 27-3-2004 @ 06:19 PM by Shugo
As promised here are some more links:
www.newscientist.com...

Seems Lockheed is going to be working on this project... to start with. More are sure to follow.

www.crgrp.net...

This program will benefit all three partners: the U.S. Air Force, a major aerospace company and CRG. The program will develop the technology necessary to construct deployable morphing missiles, aircraft, and other innovative adaptive structure concepts critical to the Air Force in the future. This technology will also increase the aerospace company’s ability to extend the system goals for multiple DoD applications in the near and far term. In addition to enhancing their system platform capabilities, this development will improve performance for other current or future missile applications. Finally, the development of this technology from prototype to integration and manufacturing will demonstrate the capabilities CRG offers as a research and development partner and materials innovator.

It seems the X-46 and X-45 will be taking the role of the first morphing plane... I believe it was produced by Boeing. Northrop seems to be making a model as well... the X-47, all UCAV's.

Picture Links:
X-45: www.uavforum.com...
X-46: www.uavforum.com...
X-47: www.uavforum.com...

Here's a link to some info on the X-45:
www.invisible-defenders.org...

Unfortunately... my computer is acting up and the search engine is running slow. I'll post more when my computer is back up to speed.
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