BLADE-UK Development and qualification of a structural concept for a large transport aircraft low drag, natural laminar flow wing for large scale flight testing

物体上的气流可以描述为湍流或层流。应用于飞行器的层流具有减小阻力的益处，因此具有减小燃料消耗的益处，这又减小了飞行器的碳足迹。几十年来，在机翼上实现广泛的层流一直是空气动力学家的“圣杯”。作为欧洲“清洁天空”倡议的一部分，一架高速演示机被授权开发一种展示层流（被动）的机翼结构。由此，BLADE（欧洲突破层流飞机演示器）计划诞生了。该计划的范围是设计，开发，制造和组装一个全新的10米层流机翼部分，并将其组装到340 MSN 001飞行试验飞机上。该方案有7个合作伙伴- ASCO、GKN、INCAS、DASSANDO、SAAB、AERNNOVA和AIRBUS。来自德国、法国、西班牙和英国的空客工程师都将为这一计划做出贡献。菲尔顿的一个小型工程师团队除了承担一些具体的设计工作外，还协调和整合所有合作伙伴的活动。许多工作已经完成，结构概念已经确定，制造和工程研制试验正在进行，新机翼部分的特殊系统安装已经重新确定，广泛的飞行试验仪器已经准备就绪。组件和装配工具已经开始，碳纤维增强塑料上盖的工具已经完成。下一阶段的发展将涉及进一步的组件测试和冻结的设计上翼盖。目前的计划是在2016年底完成整个层流机翼部分的飞行试验。30 BLADE-UK申请人263214飞行试验应在2017年完成。当飞行试验完成后，飞机必须恢复到原来的结构和系统配置。如果该项目成功，并实现了实际层流，那么Filton工程团队将为未来飞机空气动力学的重大变化做出贡献。这里提出的建议涵盖了空中客车公司在英国的R&T活动，以验证特定自然层流机翼的设计和开发（NLF机翼）结构概念，包括机翼关键部件的制造、组装和测试。部件的几何尺寸应与飞行试验相关的尺寸相似或相等，物理尺寸、应力（特别是承载能力）要求和公差应满足飞行性能机翼的要求。

Airflow over an object can be described as either turbulent or laminar. Laminar flow as applied to an aircraft has the benefit of reducing drag and hence fuel consumption which in turn reduces the carbon footprint of the aircraft. Practical achievement of extensive laminar flow on a wing has been a ‘holy grail’ for aerodynamicists for decades.As part of the European ‘Clean Sky’ initiative a high speed demonstrator developing a wing structure that exhibits laminar flow (passive) was authorised. From this the BLADE (Breakthrough Laminar flow Aircraft Demonstrator Europe) programme was born. The scope of the programme was to design, develop, manufacture and assemble a completely new 10 metre laminar section of wing and assemble this to the 340 MSN001 flight test aircraft. There are 7 partners in this programme – ASCO, GKN, INCAS, DASSAULT, SAAB, AERNNOVA and AIRBUS. Within Airbus engineers from Germany, France, Spain and the UK will all contribute to this programme. A small team of engineers based at Filton coordinate and integrate the activities of all the partners in addition to undertaking some of the specific design work. Much work has already been accomplished, with structural concepts defined and with manufacturing and engineering development tests underway.Specific system installations for the new wing section have been redefined and extensive flight test instrumentation has been catered for. Component and assembly tooling has commenced with the tools for the carbon fibre reinforced plastic upper covers already completed. The next stage of development will involve further component testing and the freezing of the design of the upper wing covers. The current schedule is leading to the completion of the full laminar wing section to be ready for the flight testing in late 2016.30 BLADE-UK applicant 263214The flight tests should be complete in 2017. When the flight tests are complete the aircraft has to be returned to its original structural and systems configurations. If the project is successful, and practical laminar flow achieved, then the Filton engineering team will have contributed to a significant step change in the aerodynamics of aircraft for the future.The proposal presented here covers Airbus in the UK’s R&T activities to validate the design and development of a specific Natural Laminar Flow wing (NLF wing) structural concept, including manufacturing, assembly and testing of critical components of the wing. The geometrical dimensions of the components shall be of size similar or equal relevant for the flight test, the physical sizing, requirements with respect to stress specifically load carrying capability and the tolerances shall meet the requirements of the flight worthy wing.