Design and Evaluation of Aeroelastically Tuned Joined-Wing SensorCraft Flight Test Article

The Boeing Joined Wing SensorCraft is a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform. Boeing′s approach in utilizing a joined-wing configuration offers potential aerodynamic and structural benefits including unmatched ISR capabilities complementing the overall mission. However, associated with these advantages is the potential for nonlinear aeroelastic response. In an effort to compliment computational studies, the design, construction, and flight testing of a 1/9th scale, aeroelastically tuned model of the Joined-Wing SensorCraft has been the subject of an ongoing international collaboration aimed at experimentally demonstrating the nonlinear aeroelastic response. To accurately measure and capture the configuration′s potential for structural nonlinearity, the test article must exhibit equivalent structural flexibility and be designed to meet airworthiness standards. Previous work has demonstrated airworthiness through the successful flight of a Geometrically Scaled Remotely Piloted Vehicle, but its capability to demonstrate geometric nonlinearities in flight has yet to be determined. Current work involves evaluation of an aeroelstically tuned design through finite element modeling and experimentation. Initial investigation using lower order models point to the possibility of using the existing forward wings, combined with tailored aft wings. The focus of this work is the evaluation suitability of these wings in terms of the structural limits, based on high fidelity modeling and ground test validation.