Germany has made progress in developing a new type of wing for drones that can change its shape during flight to improve efficiency and performance.
The technology is part of the MorphAIR project, conducted by the German Aerospace Center, and uses the HyTEM concept, inspired by birds’ ability to dynamically adjust their wings according to environmental conditions.
The new structure combines the functions of ailerons and flaps into a single system, reducing mechanical parts and increasing adaptability. According to researchers, the wing can precisely modify its geometry thanks to ten actuators installed along the wingspan, providing significant gains in fuel consumption, aerodynamic control, and even radar signature reduction — a factor especially relevant for military applications.
The first functional version has already undergone integration and performance tests, demonstrating correct operation and safe interaction with the flight control system. The next step will be to evaluate the concept in real-world tests aboard a PROTEUS drone, a stage expected to confirm the technology’s potential to enhance range, safety, and maneuverability of aircraft.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: LinkedIn / DLR – Institut für Systemleichtbau | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
