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NASA's "LEAPTech"; Hybrid Lift Technology

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  1. NASA's LEAPTech
    Cutting Edge Propulsion on the Leading Edge of Wing Design

    Since 1947 and the sound-barrier-breaking Bell X-1, NASA’s X-plane program has pioneered new aerodynamic thresholds, delivering some of the most innovative and unique aircraft ever tested. NASA's X-Plane projects have always pushed the envelope of aerodynamic principles, including new propulsion forms ranging from rockets to scramjets. When NASA conceives something new, it's worth listening up. And we may have a whisper of what's coming next; LEAPTech! An experimental wing design utilizing a super narrow chord with up to, but not limited to, 18 very small electric motors, each with folding props. In its current test configuration, it consists of a 31-foot, carbon composite wing with 18 small electric motors powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries.
  2. NASA's newest revelation incorporates 18 small electric motors nestled into the leading edge of a super thin wing. The thrust created by all these props, spread out over the entire length of the wing, adds lift without the forward velocity normally needed for the wing to achieve lift. The advantage being thrust and lift are available for take-off, then several of the motors can be shut down once cruising speed is reached. Because the props fold back into their individual nacelles, the drag of the idle motors is negligible. At cruising speed, the narrow chord wing is sufficient to maintain altitude with minimum drag.
  3. NASA has been experimenting with "Blowing" air over wings to augment lift for decades. With most aircraft, full power isn’t needed for efficient cruise, therefore after taking off, several of the engines will be shut down to minimize drag and reduce power consumption. This design approach could take on a multitude of configurations, such as a pusher prop at the tail of the fuselage or a set of wingtip props to reduce vortices. Ultimately, it may become different configurations based on the application and use of the individual aircraft.
  4. The proposed specs on the LEAPTech X-plane could make this an airborne Tesla, of sorts. With a projected top speed of roughly 200 mph and a 12,000 ft operational ceiling, it could carry four passengers approx. 450 miles on electric power, which is equal inn range and speed to any light aircraft today. NASA believes this X-plane could help the aviation industry begin to migrate to electric propulsion over the next 10 years. Ultimately, it will start with light, civilian aircraft and scale up to commercial aircraft, such as transports.
  5. The current test mule is a 31 foot wing with 18 electric motors mounted aboard the bed of a Peterbuilt truck for testing at Edwards Airforce Base, where it’ll be driven at various speeds to collect data on lift and drag coefficients. Once sufficient information is obtained, the plan is to mount the wing and engines to a Tecnam P2006T as a test bed to compare performance figures with traditional light aircraft.
  6. The link below is to a PDF from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics titled: "Drag Reduction Through Distributed Electric Propulsion" explaining in detail the fundamentals and technology behind LEAPTech.

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