Inflatable Wings for Fighter Aircraft; Loss of Agility Debate

Inflatable materials are coming of age both in strength and performance. It has been proposed that such inflatable wings be added to fighter aircraft so in flight the can retract and limit the amount of drag for increased performance and speed. Some aerospace engineers believe that such a concept modification to current aircraft designs would be an unworthy use of time, cost and even under whelm us in performance if built. Specifically they claim that there would be loss of agility and stability in maneuvering due to smaller wing while retracted

Where as normally we believe this would be true for an aircraft with no wings in high-speed super cruise flight. We plan on addressing this using two strategies; First: Thrust Vectoring Nozzles and Second; a new concept. We plan to use the static air generated from the friction of the wing to be stored in wires connected along the end cap/ leading edge stub while folded. The leading edge will be made by way of manufactured material memory. To assist in increasing roll rates and to maintain stability the tips will slightly expand as needed to maintain stable flight or in the event of a pilot command to turn will work in conjunction with the thrust vectoring nozzles and expand the tip on the side of the aircraft for which the bank is intended. The material memory expansion will also be used on landings to increase teardrop roundness of the leading edge for slower speeds. This idea was taken from another of our concepts for the general aviation market and inflatable camber modifications:

http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?s=aabd6abfe6bbd82c46ae58b40fd4e0c7&showtopic=1081

http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?s=aabd6abfe6bbd82c46ae58b40fd4e0c7&showtopic=1075

http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?s=aabd6abfe6bbd82c46ae58b40fd4e0c7&showtopic=1073

http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?s=aabd6abfe6bbd82c46ae58b40fd4e0c7&showtopic=1077

http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?s=aabd6abfe6bbd82c46ae58b40fd4e0c7&showtopic=1076

Upon answering the aerospace engineers objections and allowing them to see the follies of their reasoning, we hereby request they come up with a better critique against our concept. If they cannot come up with a better and more competent objection, we will assume they have none and/or do not have the specific knowledge in these new inflatable materials to even make a comment. Think on that.

\"Lance Winslow\" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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