This research explores how aerodynamic performance changes when lift is deliberately redistributed across a wing or across multiple lifting surfaces. The work spans morphing concepts, spanloading studies, and multi-wing configurations, with emphasis on how lift distribution shapes wake structure, induced drag, control authority, and overall system performance. Together, these papers show that changing where lift is produced can be just as important as changing how much lift is produced.
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This research examines what happens when lift is shared across multiple wings operating in close proximity instead of being carried by a single conventional lifting surface. The studies investigate how gap, stagger, relative incidence, and the number of neighboring wings alter the aerodynamic behavior of the full system as well as the performance of each individual wing. Rather than treating multi-wing layouts as a simple geometric rearrangement, the work shows that they must be understood as strongly coupled flow systems in which proximity reshapes downwash, pressure distribution, and overall efficiency.
Research in this area develops wings that change shape in a more continuous and aerodynamically intentional way than conventional hinged surfaces. The work examines skin-actuated camber concepts, multifunction flap and spoiler mechanisms, and spanwise twist-enabled morphing strategies that allow a wing to adapt its loading for different flight needs. Across the studies, the central question is not simply whether a wing can move, but whether it can change shape while preserving smooth surface continuity, maintaining useful lift, and avoiding the drag penalties that often accompany discrete control-surface deflections.
This work explores spanwise loading as a primary aerodynamic design variable, using an oblique flying wing to study how twist distribution and slew angle reshape performance and stability. Instead of starting from the assumption that a wing’s planform alone determines its behavior, the research examines how deliberately redistributing lift along the span can change rolling, pitching, and yawing tendencies as well as the character of the wake. The result is a more design-centered view of spanloading, where aerodynamic efficiency and stability are treated as consequences of how lift is arranged across the wing rather than how much lift is produced overall.
Jestus, Nevin, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael P. Mongin, and Aaron Altman. "Aerodynamic Characterization of Wing-Wing Interactions for Distributed Lift Applications." In AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, p. 0030. 2023. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-0030
Proximity Effects of Wings on System Performance in a Multi-Wing Configuration
Jestus, Nevin, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael Mongin, and Aaron Altman. "Proximity Effects of Wings on System Performance in a Multi-Wing Configuration." In AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, p. 1908. 2024. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-1908
Aerodynamic Interactions among Three Identical Wings in Close Proximity
Jestus, Nevin, Sidaard Gunasekaran, Michael P. Mongin, and Aaron Altman. "Aerodynamic Interactions among Three Identical Wings in Close Proximity." In AIAA 2023 Region III Student Conference, Dayton, OH https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-71488
Experimental Investigation of a Novel Morphing Wing Design
Pabon, Julian A., Xinyu Gao, Jielong Cai, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Experimental Investigation of a Novel Morphing Wing Design." In AIAA 2023 Region III Student Conference, Dayton, OH https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-71704
Pabon, Julian A., Xinyu Gao, Jielong Cai, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Experimental Investigation of a Novel Morphing Wing Design." In AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, p. 1349. 2024. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-1349
Development of a Multi-Purpose Flap and Spoiler Mechanism for High Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Hung, Lucas K., Jielong Cai, Neal Novotny, and Sidaard Gunasekaran. "Development of a Multi-Purpose Flap and Spoiler Mechanism for High Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles." In AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, p. 1027. 2022. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-1027
Experimental Investigations Of A Dual Mode Skin Actuated Camber With Embedded Twist (Sacet)
Students
Student contributors are listed where available.
Citation
Experimental Investigations Of A Dual Mode Skin Actuated Camber With Embedded Twist (Sacet). 2026.
Effects Of Spanloading And Slew Angle On An Oblique Flying Wing
Students
Student contributors are listed where available.
Citation
Effects Of Spanloading And Slew Angle On An Oblique Flying Wing. 2020.
