BAE Systems MAGMA Project

a reply to: Zaphod58

Awesome, thanks for the heads up.

Interesting info but, just skimming through those threads raises more questions than answers haha.. and I have to be up for work in about 6 hours

a reply to: Indrasweb

When you have time, by all means feel free to ask. Most of us that have the knowledge and experience are more than happy to answer questions.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Briliant, thank you

a reply to: Zaphod58

In one of the links you mentioned about a neural net on an F-15. Sounded interesting- were there any threads on that?

The whole concept of adaptive wings is fascinating, extra lift at low speed and reduced drag at high speed. Seems perfect for carriers.

When you hear these ideas have been theorised and played with for decades it certainly makes you think what is possible now.

ACTE thread and flexible trailing edge videos.

a reply to: DrBobH

I believe there was. I'm pretty sure the experiment pdf was posted as well. I'll take a look and see if I can find it. They actually went pretty far with it, and then it just vanished.

a reply to: DrBobH

Goo gle search results.

I can't link to pdf files on my phone but their public release is there, as well as some other interesting reads.

Didnt it go to Gulfstream that tech?

a reply to: Blackfinger

They used a Gulfstream to test the flexible trailing edge.

Aaaahhh thanks mate

originally posted by: Indrasweb
a reply to: DrBobH

Wow, good article and an interesting proposition.

I'm not sure I understand how blowing air "through the trailing edge of the wing" allows for manoeuvring the aircraft. Is that system responsive enough to improve the aircrafts agility in order to take advantage of the possible weight decrease?

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I am enthusiastic when it comes to aircraft but have almost zero actual knowledge on the subject..

The wing generates lift due to a slight vacuum being created from the relative speeds of the air underneath and above the wing surface. Normally, flaps can be extended to boost lift by increasing the vacuum. If air is blown instead, it could create a virtual flap keeping the two airflows separated for longer. That in turn would eliminate the need for all that electromechanical controls.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Brilliant - I’ll save that for this evening

I didn't see a video here of the MAGMA flight:



She's just a bitty bird.

a reply to: anzha

Yes she is

Better to test and crash a $10,000 model than a $10,000,000 full scale demonstrator..Looks great A new way of wing warping tech..

Do I smell BAe gearing up for a post Brexit go it alone UCAV with VERY quiet signatures and advanced manoeuvrability? And yet could also be the ace up their sleeve to persuade Airbus to continue using Broughton for wing development and production.

Being screwed around by the French with Tarranis I can see the logic in BAE going it alone..

Still had ailerons on that video though? Perhaps it was in the sound (I had it on mute) did they stop using the mechanical systems during the flight to test the tech or does it require both?

a reply to: Forensick

Back up mechanical controls in case it doesn't work as planned, or that the system fails in flight. It keeps them from losing the aircraft.

What BAE are now referring to as MAGMA was discussed and indeed sections prototyped and tested before Taranis was unveiled.

It was part of the main UAV project to aim for true multiband stealth, because Taranis was in effect a throw-together it's shape and engine design was reverted to almost it's initial form, the advanced stuff was kept dark, Taranis proved to be a very good testbed for the control software though, some world leading features in that bag-of-bolts ;-)

However it's unlikely MAGMA will see the light of day (except single prototypes) as a British project anytime soon, there is literally no money left in the UK defence budget, the new carriers already need upgrades, F35 is eating more cash than planned and our pathetic government just wants to keep cutting anything that isn't banking or tourism related.

These will be dark days for the UK forces, most of my age group will quit early as there is no incentive to stay on, numbers at the lowest in living memory, expensive toys we can't even use effectively and NATO is becoming fractured and understandably so with Trump demanding more defence spending from partners, whilst basically cosying up to the Russians, Syria is a loss as is Afghan and Iraq, NK could end up being the biggest mistake by any US president.