UK MAGMA project: Weapons Giant Tests ‘Flapless’ Drone Virtually Undetectable by Radar

UK’s Future Combat Air System project (MAGMA), BAE Systems Weapons Giant Tests Flapless Drone (Photo by BAE Systems)
The aircraft, known as the MAGMA unmanned aerial vehicle, is capable of maneuvering without the traditional wing flaps found on aircraft through the use of air that’s blown from its engine through special slots in its wings at supersonic speeds.
The prototype drone, developed by researchers from Manchester University with assistance from engineers at BAE Systems, was test-flown out of the Llanbedr Airport in northwest Wales.
In addition to its wing-based circulation controls, the titanium aircraft is said to have use ‘fluidic thrust vectoring,’ a technology concept developed by Manchester University researchers nearly two decades ago using blown air to deflect exhaust to allow for changes to be made to the aircraft’s trajectory.
(Photo by © Captura de tela: BAE Systems)
Bloomberg indicated that the aircraft and its technology could help with the development of the UK’s Future Combat Air System project, the UK’s sixth-generation warplane concept.
Bill Crowther, MAGMA project leader at Manchester University, said that the university’s partnership with BAE Systems has given them “the freedom as a university to focus on research adventure, with BAE Systems providing the pathway to industrial application.”
Successful demonstration of breakthrough blown-air flight technologies to revolutionise future aircraft design.
- Wing Circulation Control: Taking air from the aircraft engine and blowing it supersonically through narrow slots around a specially shaped wing tailing edge in order to control the aircraft.
- Fluidic Thrust Vectoring: Controlling the aircraft by blowing air jets inside the nozzle to deflect the exhaust jet and generate a control force.
Source: BAE SYSTEMS NEWS – 2 May 2019
Imone Shepherd (UNITED KINGDOM XAIRFORCES Editor)
EUROPEAN AIR FORCE NEWS
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