FWV Technologies Applicable to UCAV--Structures
Six of the ten FWV structures technologies were deemed to have application to UCAV SEAD vehicles. The Active Aeroelastic Wing technology was not include due to the expected small size of the the UCAV vehicles and the simplicity of the wing section
Unitized metallic substructures would be used to provide hard points for wing attachments and a frame which would provide some bend-not break capability for those components. which are to be crash survivable. In order to reduce cost, advanced welding technologies like friction stir welding would be used to assemble this framework and substructure. Where feasible, cast components would be used to further reduce the cost of the vehicle.
Low Temperature curing composite material have been developed which do not require autoclave processing and can be assembled using foam core as an inner surface tool for both upper and lower skins. if the wing does not store fuel, then the foam can be left to carry shear loads between surfaces and only forward and aft spar and inner and outer ribs will be required for the wing sections.
Design for manufacturing/assembly techniques would be used to minimize joints and fastener requirements and to insure the matched mating surfaces of the parts for easier assembly.
In addition to the use of a metallic cage for attachment of critical survivable components, stitched/RFI composites would be used on external skins wherever additional survivability was desired. These skins are not only impervious to ground handling loads, but also provide breakaway capability under shock loading to reduce mass and damage in crashes.
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