BIOUAS HALO

Our bio-inspired morphing wing project is developing next generation wing morphing suitable for small unmanned air systems (UAS). This project is conducted under a European Space Agency (ESA) contract in the Open Space Innovation Platform - Early Technology Development program, with oversight from ESA Advanced Concepts Team.

 
ProjectLogoAvectorFINAL.png
falcon-3363237_1280.jpg
peregrine-bird-beak-headB -crop.jpg
 

The project is developing in-house variable span and sweep wing technology to a flight demonstrator UAV and will assess the potential for the applications of Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), planetary probes, and novel aerostructures for entry, descent and landing from space. The project is designing for deployment from high altitude platforms and orbit in partnership with Vorticity Limited. In parachute terminology this is referred to as HALO (High Altitude Low Opening).

Our morphing wing system is inspired by recently published papers on peregrine falcon aerodynamics. It offers a novel low aerodynamic drag mode and 500% spanwise extension to a loitering wing. Peregrine interception strategy largely depends on manoeuvrability during the second phase of the stoop at pull out from the dive, enabled by C-shape “cupped-wing” and M-shape morphing.

  • Benefits

  • Extreme manoeuvrability: Improves evasive manoeuvres or target interception

  • Controlled descent : Reduced aerodynamic drag in dive or launch phases

  • Aspect ratio: Allows a greater range of wing shape versus variable sweep or pop-out wings

  • Flight duration: Extends fuel or battery life by enabling dynamic wing change to fly more efficiently

  • Optimised and proven by nature: Scalable as full wings for multi-modal UAVs less than 1kg to over 200kg

  • Applications Unmanned Aircraft

  • UAVs designed for high-altitude launch (e.g. Maritime Search and Rescue, Planetary Probes)

  • Navigating cluttered urban and forest environments using vision-based control

  • Remote and near instant man-portable UAV launch for deployment in the field

  • VTOL UAVs for landing on ship decks and transition from outdoor to indoor spaces

  • Multi-modal operations (Fly, Perch, Walk, Swim)

  • Protection of airports with nature inspired counter-unmanned aerial vehicles (C-UAS)

  • More Payload space: Optimal wing aspect ratio with more compact stowage envelopes

  • Applications Air Transport

  • Novel variable-diameter rotors (VTDR) & Mission Adaptive Rotors (MAR)

  • Advanced morphing winglets for Civil Aviation and Urban Mobility

“Genuinely revolutionary technology begins with research” - Sir James Dyson