Active Tip Fins for Box Wing Aircraft

Background: Induced drag accounts for significant percentage of cruise and total aircraft drag. In agreement with Prandtl’s theorem, the ideal arrangement for minimum induced drag is a closed biplane design. Past studies have implemented fixed tip fins for closed biplane design, with the reduction of induced drag associated with fixed tip fin found to be less than optimal. A review of patents related to the box-wing aircraft was carried out. Methods: In an attempt to further reduce the induced drag for box wing aircraft, this study proposed the implementation of Active Tip Fins (ATF) for aircraft design. Athena Vortex Lattice (AVL) software was used to simulate the induced drag associated with AFT in comparison with that of a fixed tip fin. Result: From the result, the ATF design shows a superior induced drag reduction. Conclusion: ATF design is a novel concept that has the potential of improving box wing aircraft performance.