Oblique Flying Wing
The Oblique Flying Wing (OFW) program will develop a technology demonstrator aircraft and the associated design, analysis and control methodologies to demonstrate the feasibility of a supersonic, tailless, oblique flying wing aircraft.
An OFW aircraft is a flying wing (i.e. no fuselage or tail) that flies with one side of the aircraft swept forward and the other side swept back in an asymmetric configuration. Being able to vary the wing sweep in flight will enable an aircraft to be aerodynamically efficient in both high speed cruise and low speed loiter.
At low speeds, the Oblique Flying Wing will fly with low sweep, resulting in long range and endurance capabilities. At high speeds, variable sweep will allow the aircraft to be optimized for supersonic flight.
A supersonic aircraft capable of extremely long loiter times would have a revolutionary impact on the battlefield, necessitating fewer combat aircraft and fewer tankers to accomplish mission objectives.
The goal of the OFW program is to expand the design space for future aircraft concepts. The program will address the design issues associated with a tailless, variable sweep, supersonic oblique flying wing. Key challenges include aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, propulsion integration, and controllability.
Phase I will develop a conceptual design of an operational aircraft, conduct technology maturation testing to reduce the risk of the critical technologies associated with their OFW concept, and develop a preliminary design for an experimental flight vehicle.
Phase II will complete the design, fabrication and supersonic flight test of a experimental airplane (X-Plane), so that oblique flying wing designs can be considered for future military missions.
Program Plans
- Develop operational oblique flying wing conceptual design.
- Define, develop and demonstrate key oblique wing component technologies.
- Conduct preliminary design for an oblique wing system flight demonstrator.
Requirements
DARPA has set the following requirements for the OFW program:- Non-expendable aircraft with a wheeled, retractable undercarriage for take-off and landing
- Air breathing propulsion
- Supersonic demonstration at a Mach number greater than or equal to 1.2
- Tailless configuration in supersonic cruise and subsonic loiter conditions
- Variable wing sweep demonstrated in-flight from a minimum wing sweep of not more than 30 degrees to a maximum wing sweep of not less than 60 degrees
- Aspect ratio greater than or equal to 7 at the minimum sweep condition
- Wingspan greater than or equal to 40 feet at the minimum sweep condition.
Northrop Grumman Selected
In late March, 2006, Northrop Grumman was selected by DARPA, and provided funding of $10.3 million for the first phase of the program.
"The selection of Northrop Grumman for the Oblique Flying Wing program recognizes our long tradition of innovation and technical ability," said Charlie Guthrie, director of Advanced Capabilities Development for Integrated Systems' Western Region. "We look forward to working with DARPA and its government team to make aviation history."
During the program's first phase, which will conclude in November 2007, Northrop Grumman will conduct technology maturation to reduce the risk of the critical technologies associated with its OFW concepts and develop a preliminary design for the experimental aircraft.
The preliminary design effort could be followed by a second phase to finalize the design, then build an experimental aircraft and flight test it. First flight of this "X-plane" is envisioned in 2010 or 2011.
Recent developments (news)
DARPA Kills Oblique Flying Wing
Posted at: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008
Aviation Week's Graham Warwick reports DARPA's Oblique Flying Wing (OFW) technology demonstrator program has been canceled, "following the preliminary design effort".
In late March, 2006, Northrop Grumman was ...
Northrop Grumman tests oblique flying wing X-plane in windtunnel
Posted at: Tue Sep 11th, 2007
Northrop Grumman is beginning high-speed windtunnel testing of the oblique flying wing X-plane it is designing for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. If built, the OFW technology demonstrator will be the first supersonic, tailless, varia...
The Supersonic Shape-Shifting Bomber
Posted at: Sun Jun 25th, 2006
Popular Science Magazine reports on an interesting new project by DARPA and Northrop Grumman; the Oblique Flying Wing. The supersonic craft can vary the sweep of its wing for the most efficient flight performance.
Back in March DARPA ...
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