BAE Systems Demon

Demon
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
Manufacturer BAE Systems/Cranfield University
First flight 17 September 2010
Demon on display at 2014 Farnborough Air Show

The Demon is a UAV designed by BAE Systems, as part of its "FLAVIIR" project. It has a novel aerodynamic control system which uses engine exhaust and bleed air to provide the aerodynamic forces usually provided by flaps, ailerons and elevators.[1] [2] It has been called the world's first "flapless" plane.[3] It first flew, from Barrow/Walney Island Airport, off the coast of Cumbria, UK on 17 September 2010.

Design and development

The unique circulation control system could be employed to reduce the size of the wing on widebody airliners. Its developers hope that the new design could reduce noise, cut fuel and lower maintenance costs. For military fast jets the technology might help to achieve greater stealth.

The so-called "fluidic flight controls" guide air from a rectangular exhaust nozzle over upper and lower Coandă effect surfaces to establish pitch. For roll control, bleed air is blown over a Coanda surface installed on the trailing edge of the wing. By controlling boundary layer conditions, the fluidic controls can also provide greater lift or drag on take-off and landing.

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ US Grant 7984879, Cook, Michael Victor & Warsop, Clyde, "Flow control actuators", published 26 Jul 2011, assigned to Bae Systems Plc
  2. ↑ "PICTURES & VIDEO: British team proves flapless flight with Demon UAV". Archived from the original on 1 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  3. ↑ "Demon UAV plane jets into history by flying without flaps". Metro. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
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