Adaptive Controls for Active Structural Control

This project presents an ambitious and highly integrated approach to advancing adaptive flight control for flexible structures using a 'fly-fix-fly' framework. It combines additive manufacturing, aeroelastic modeling, and real-time adaptive controls, positioning itself at the forefront of modern flight experimentation. The research aims to take AFRL's wind tunnel test wings to flight, allowing robust evaluation of structurally variable aeroelastic configurations, adaptive controls, and serving as a platform for autonomy-enabling technologies.

This innovation has the potential to transform how aeroelastic and control system validation is performed by significantly reducing the time and cost required to go from conceptual design to flight testing. It enables early detection of flutter and aeroservoelastic instabilities, accelerates the testing of adaptive control laws, and provides a scalable platform for future AI/ML integration as enabler for Autonomy research. By bridging the gap between simulation, wind tunnel, and flight, it supports faster/cheaper development of advanced aircraft concepts and reduces the risk associated with full-scale testing. Stakeholders include NASA, DoD, DARPA, aerospace companies, and academia.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.