Bio-Inspired Bone, Wing, Tail, and Muscle Structures for Morphing Aircraft

ABSTRACT: Our focus in this proposal is to perform basic research to create bio-inspired 3-D morphing mechanical structures which are a gateway technology to enable true 3-D morphing flight. Prioria and Virginia Tech University will team to perform basic research into bio-inspired structure such as artificial bones/wings/feathers and artificial muscles. Prioria will establish technical feasibility through analysis, simulation, and some experimentation in Phase 1 for artificial bones/wings/feathers, and Virginia Tech University will perform basic research into artificial muscles.; BENEFIT: Prioria will attempt to leverage Maveric and Leviathan for Phase 3 transition opportunities. Leviathan is a particularly attractive target, since morphing could significantly improve endurance and time-on-station of the Leviathan aircraft. (Endurance is a key performance parameter for the system). If the research is successful, Prioria will seek Phase 3 sponsorship to port components of the technology to Leviathan.