The Active Flexible Wing (AFW) program was initially a joint U.S. Air Force, NASA and Rockwell International effort to demonstrate the AFW concept. The AFW concept involves achieving vehicle weight savings through advantageous use of a flexible wing surface via active control applications. Under this initial program, two wind-tunnel tests were completed in the Langley TDT. A second AFW model program was undertaken by NASA and Rockwell Inter-national with the goal of demonstrating aeroelastic control through the use of digital active control technology. The multiple-exposure photograph shows the AFW model at several pitch positions during a TDT entry under this follow-on program. Key accomplishments of this second program included single and multiple- mode flutter suppression, load alleviation and load control during rapid roll maneuvers, and multi-input/multi-output multiple function active controls tests above the open loop flutter boundary.
