Aeronautics

Abstract: Aircraft, and the aviation ecosystem in which they operate, are shaped by complex trades among technical requirements, economics and environmental concerns, all built on a foundation of safety. This Perspective explores the requirements of battery-powered aircraft and the chemistries that hold promise to enable them. The difference between flight and terrestrial needs and chemistries are highlighted. Safe, usable specific energy rather than cost is the major constraint for aviation. We conclude that battery packs suitable for flight with specific energy approaching 600 kilowatt hours per kilogram may be achievable in the next decade given sufficient investment targeted at aeronautical applications.

Abstract: The Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) Flight Research Program's (Pendleton, E., Griffin, K., Kehoe, M., and Perry, B., A Flight Research Program for Active Aeroelastic Wing Technology, AIAA Paper 96-1574, April 1996 and Pendleton, E., Bessette, D., Field, P., Miller, G., and Griffin, K., The Active Aeroelastic Wing Flight Research Program, AIAA Paper 98-1972, April 1998) technical content is presented and analytical model development is summarized. Goals of the AAW flight research program are to demonstrate, in full scale, key AAW parameters and to measure the aerodynamic, structural, and flight control characteristics associated with AAW. Design guidance, derived from the results of this benchmark flight program, will be provided for implementation on future aircraft designs.