Variable-Sweep and Variable-Span Wing Support Structures with High Bearing Capacity

In the design of hypersonic morphing aircraft, a high bearing capacity support structure for wings with variable sweeps and spans is crucial. However, existing structural designs that simultaneously accommodate both variable sweeps and spans are limited. Therefore, this paper introduces a novel morphing wing support structure capable of in-plane stretching deformation of 50% and shear deformation of 45 deg, while maintaining high bearing capacity and specific stiffness. A theoretical model of an individual cell was developed using Timoshenko’s beam theory and validated via comparison with a finite element (FE) model of the same unit. The good agreement between the two approaches provides a theoretical foundation for the contact setting within the support structure of the morphing wing. FE analysis and bearing capacity tests of the integrated support structure demonstrate that the structure can withstand loads exceeding Formula: see text in both the initial and 45 deg swept states. In the two states of 50% spanwise extension, the structure maintains a bearing capacity exceeding Formula: see text. Compared with corrugated-beam support structures, the proposed morphing wing support structure offers advantages of low in-plane stiffness, high out-of-plane stiffness, and high bearing capacity, which can enable lighter actuation and broader mission envelopes for hypersonic vehicles.