On-ground Testing of a Laminar Flow Wing Leading Edge

Abstract

Natural laminar flow on surface areas of transport aircraft is seen as an important contribution to reduction of air travel`s CO2 emissions. Through the course of several national and EU-funded projects, a multi-material leading edge concept was developed and built by the German Aerospace Center, DLR. To validate the design and to demonstrate operational applicability of the leading edge and its specialized NLF compatible attachment concept, a test stand was designed. Capable of deforming a 2.3m Ground Based Demonstrator outer wing section to different surface deformation states, this test stand enables the analysis of the leading edge joint with the upper wing cover and the achieved aerodynamic step height under cruise deformations. It also enables the demonstration of the replacement of a damaged leading edge on a flexible wing on ground.