Design of a Smart Droop Nose as Leading Edge High Lift System for Transportation Aircrafts

Abstract

A seamless and gapless high lift device at the wing’s leading edge has the potential for reduction of airframe noise as well as for drag. A concept of a smart leading edge device was developed, which, due to systems solutions, delivers an alternative to the droop nose device as used for the A380. The main emphasis of this new device is to realize a structure/system solution for a smooth leading surface, which can be deflected into a typical high lift application. With respect to the fact that laminarity is the only technology which has the potential for step changes in drag reduction within a suitable timeframe, smart seamless and gapless high lift devices are a mandatory enabler for future wings of significantly increased aerodynamic efficiency