Lockheed Martin X-56A (MUTT)

History of the Lockheed Martin X-56A (MUTT)

Flutter can affect the wing components of any aircraft at high speeds, causing violent vibrations that eventually damage the wings and, of course, the aircraft. For decades, the solution was to use rigid wings, which added weight, increased fuel economy and drag, and limited range. Today, Lockheed Martin (in partnership with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California) uses its X-56A test aircraft, equipped with an active flutter suppression system and specially designed flexible wings, to Counteract the "aeroelastic" force. The first flight of the X-56A was recorded in July 2013.

The craft has a wingspan of 28 feet, weighs 480 pounds, and can reach speeds of up to 150 knots (expect about 110 knots of flapping). The X-56A was equipped with a parachute system to recover if its experimental wing was subjected to uncontrollable forces during flight.

The X-56A was designed as a "flying wing" hybrid aircraft with added vertical surfaces on the wingtips. The fuselage houses twin-engine units, avionics and fuel storage, while the landing gear is a conventional wheeled tricycle setup.

Propulsion is provided by two JetCat P400 turbojets mounted in the upper rear part of the fuselage. Lockheed built a pair of X-56A fuselages with a modular wing system to allow the use of two different wing types -- one rigid and one flexible -- that both feature Active flutter suppression sensors and controls. For early testing, a simple fixed-wing arrangement was used to check the effectiveness of the fixed-wing arrangement.

The flexible wing will feature fiberglass construction and active flutter control, while the final rigid wing (with its own anti-flutter control) will be tested in early 2014.

The project hopes to provide guidance on mitigating the severe effects of in-flight flutter and encourage the development of more fuel-efficient, longer-range aircraft for the civilian and military markets. The X-56A program is expected to cover about five years of research, during which Lockheed will lead 20 flights before handing them over to NASA personnel for formal flexible wing research.

Two X-56 vehicles were built for the flight test program. The first was named "Fido" and the second was named "Buckeye".

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes