← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 5)
Higher Aspect Ratio Optimal Wing enables a 1.5-2X increase in the aspect ratio of a lightweight wing with safe structures and flight controls.
This technical challenge directly contributes to the project goal of reduced fuel burn. The trend in more efficient wings is to increase the aspect ratio. This subproject focuses on four ways to solve the challenges associated with this approach by combining aerodynamic benefits from flight controls and aerodynamics for drag reduction with structural efficiency for weight reduction, while maintaining structures and flight controls that prevent aeroelastic events such as flutter.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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.