Optimization framework for design of morphing wings

There has been much recent interest in developing more environmentally friendly aircraft concepts. One of the emerging technologies is to allow the wings to morph to meet the flight performance envelope needs. This paper presents a combined aerodynamic and structures/aeroelastic framework for the design of morphing wings by altering the aircraft lifting surface shape. It is implied that the weight penalties and the extent of morphing are also kept to a minimum. Case studies are conducted to demonstrate the approach applied to the morphing wing design of a regional aircraft through the flight envelope embracing high speed cruise (low CL) and low speed (high CL).