The Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) program (aka Boeing Phantom Works X-53) sought to determine the advantages of twisting flexible wings for primary maneuvering roll control at transonic and supersonic speeds, with traditional control surfaces such as ailerons and leading-edge flaps used to aerodynamically induce the twist. The idea is to design lighter, more flexible high aspect-ratio wings for future high-performance aircraft, which could translate to more economical operation or greater payload capability.
NASA photo, February 2003.
Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) F/A-18A (acquired in 1999 from the U.S. Navy) undergoes wing torsion testing at NASA’s Flight Loads Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, March-April 2001.
NASA photo, March 2001.
NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, April 2001.
Official NASA video:
NASA says the AAW program actually began in 1996, on paper. Wings from NASA’s retired F/A-18 #840, formerly used in the High-Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) project, were modified and installed on #853.
NASA photo, October 2001.
New paint-job, October 2001.
NASA photo by Tony Landis, 24OCT2001.
NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.
Before the official public unveiling, Centennial of Flight Commission decals were place on both sides of AAW 853, below the aft portion of the cockpit. NASA says the AAW program was influenced by the fact that the Wright Brothers twisted the wings of their Wright Flyer to get it to turn.
NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.
NASA photo by Tony Landis, 27MAR2002.
In March 2002, NASA officially unveiled the modified AAW F/A-18A.
NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.
NASA photo, August 2002.
More wing torsion/vibration testing, August 2002.
NASA photo, August 2002.
NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 22AUG2002.
15NOV2002, NASA photo by Tony Landis.
First flight of AAW F/A-18A #853 was 15NOV2002.
NASA photo by Carla Thomas, 15NOV2002.
During early flights it was determined that some of the original F/A-18 wings panels were too flexible at high speeds to create the desired roll rate. The leading edge flap was divided into individually controlled sections, which seemed to solve the problem.
07FEB2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.
February 2003.
07FEB2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.
25JUN2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.
Chased by another NASA F/A-18A, June 2003.
Official NASA video, 2003:
NASA photo, December 2004.
Flying over the U.S. Borax mine, near the Rogers Dry Lake, December 2004.
15DEC2004, NASA photo by Carla Thomas.
Official NASA video:
Official NASA video, March 2005:
The AAW program was officially completed in 2005. The total cost of the AAW testing is estimated at $45-million.
NASA photo by Tony Landis, 18JUN2009.
In June 2009, the AAW #853 got a new lease on life, replacing an older NF-15B Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls (IRAC) test aircraft, becoming the IRAC F/A-18A.
06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.
By April 2010, the tail flash/stripe was changed from reading AAW, to FAST (Full-scale Advanced Systems Testbed).
Official NASA video, 853 first flight as IRAC, April 2010:
06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.
06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.
One of the side benefits of aircraft testing is the creation of new computer systems which can be applied to other aircraft, military and civilian.
06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.
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