Boeing X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing

X-53
X-53 configured F/A-18
Role	Technology Demonstrator Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas Northrop Corporation Boeing
First flight	15 November 2002
Primary user	NASA
Number built	1
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

The X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) development program is a completed American research project that was undertaken jointly by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Boeing Phantom Works and NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, where the technology was flight tested on a modified McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. Active Aeroelastic Wing Technology is a technology that integrates wing aerodynamics, controls, and structure to harness and control wing aeroelastic twist at high speeds and dynamic pressures. By using multiple leading and trailing edge controls like "aerodynamic tabs", subtle amounts of aeroelastic twist can be controlled to provide large amounts of wing control power, while minimizing maneuver air loads at high wing strain conditions or aerodynamic drag at low wing strain conditions. This program was the first full-scale proof of AAW technology.