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Fighter Jet Morphing Wing Technology Trail: DRDO, in a major technological miracle, has successfully tested such morphing wings, which can change shape in just 0.17 seconds during flight. This Shape Memory Alloy based technology gives the jet a manifold advantage in stealth, agility and fuel efficiency. India is preparing to adopt it in AMCA drones and naval jets.
Fighter Jet Morphing Wing Technology Trail: Indian Defense Research Organization (DRDO) has shown that technology. Till now this was imagined only in science-fiction films. India has successfully tested such fighter jet wings, which can change their shape during flight. That too in just 0.17 seconds. These morphing wings give the jet that agility in the sky. Due to this, the enemy will not even get a chance to understand.
After the advent of this technology, experts are saying that India has now joined the few countries which have taken such smart-wing systems out of the laboratory and into actual flight tests. According to DRDO, this technology will increase the capabilities of AMCA, future drones and carrier-based fighter jets manifold in the coming times.
Why is this morphing wing technology special?
The biggest advantage of morphing wings is that the jet’s wings change their shape in thousandths of a second depending on the flight conditions. Maximum lift at the time of takeoff, less drag during cruising and more maneuverability in combat situations. The wing adapts itself to every need. Due to this, the fighter jet saves more fuel, becomes faster and is able to avoid radar.
DRDO has conducted trials of morphing wings that change shape in fractions of seconds during flight.
How does this future technology work?
DRDO’s entire technology is based on a smart metal called Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). Its specialty is that it contracts and expands as the temperature changes. The main features of this system are as follows:
- SMA strips are installed inside the wing.
- On applying current, the SMA gets heated and contracts and the wing bends.
- As soon as the current stops, the wing returns to its original position.
- There are no gaps and no metal joints in the wing, hence the radar signature is very low.
- Each section consumes power only when needed, hence extremely low power usage.
How fast is this wing-changing technology?
In DRDO’s testing, only the 300 mm wing model showed incredible performance. Understand fast speed:
- The wing can turn at a speed of 35 degrees/second.
- From flat to fully bent position in just 0.17 seconds.
- Even under wind pressure, only 5.6% more power is required than a normal wing.
- The control system of each wing section weighs only 6 grams.
What is the difference between morphing wings and traditional jets?
| feature | conventional jet wing | Morphing Wing Technology |
| resize | No | possible in real time |
| radar signature | more (gaps/hinge) | gapless |
| energy needs | More | low and controlled |
| combat capability | Limited | Too much |
| fuel efficiency | General | better and smarter |
What new benefits will this technology give to India?
The greatest strategic strength of Morphing Wings is the combination of stealth + speed + agility. This makes the jet extremely unpredictable in combat situations. This makes it almost impossible for enemy radars and missiles to detect it. This technology can prove to be a game changer for drones and carrier-based jets.
According to experts, this technology can take India to the aerospace superclub.
What next: Big use in AMCA, drones, naval jets
DRDO is now working on scaling up this technology into larger wings. The target is:
- In the next generation AMCA.
- In high-end combat drones.
- It should be fully integrated into carrier-based fighter jets.
How much can the future of India’s aerospace change now?
According to experts, this technology can take India to the aerospace superclub. Where the jets will change their wings like birds to decide their speed and agility in the sky. This live-wing technology can completely transform India’s defense capabilities in the next decade itself.
