Active Aeroelastic Wing Flight Research Vehicle Receives X-53 Designation

  • Published
  • By Air Vehicles Directorate
  • AFRL/VA
AFRL researchers received word regarding the Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) flight demonstrator's assignment to mission design series number X-53. The designation makes the vehicle AFRL's first successfully initiated X plane since the X-24 lifting body concept, which was later employed on the space shuttle.

Receiving X-53 designation marks an important step forward in AAW technology. The X-53 moniker affords the vehicle a higher recognition factor and will likely generate greater interest in the concept from a technology transition perspective. The AAW concept may play a crucial role in future aircraft, including strike unmanned air vehicles and global engagement bombers.