A stiffened structural component for an aircraft includes a first material sheet with a first surface, and at least one elongate bulge that bulges out in a direction transverse to the first surface in order to stiffen the structural component, wherein each of the at least one bulge comprises two edges that extend along the first surface, wherein a continuous bulging surface extends between the edges, and wherein the bulges are formed integrally into the first material sheet through pressing.

An aircraft structure (11) for flow control including a perforated panel (13) having an inner surface (15) directed to a structure interior (17), an outer surface (19) in contact with an ambient flow (21), and a plurality of micro pores (23) connecting the inner and outer surfaces (15, 19). Elongate crack stopper elements (25) are attached to the inner surface (15) of the perforated panel (13). The crack stopper elements (25) are configured to inhibit crack propagation within the perforated panel (13).

An aircraft structure (11) for flow control including a perforated panel (13) having an inner surface (15) directed to a structure interior (17), an outer surface (19) in contact with an ambient flow (21), and a plurality of micro pores (23) connecting the inner and outer surfaces (15, 19). Elongate crack stopper elements (25) are attached to the inner surface (15) of the perforated panel (13). The crack stopper elements (25) are configured to inhibit crack propagation within the perforated panel (13).

A system for manufacturing modular aircraft includes at least a common tooling component, wherein the at least a common tooling component is configured to manufacture at least a flight component. The system includes at least a modular tooling component, wherein the at least modular tooling component wherein the at least a modular tooling component is configured to manufacture at least a fuselage component and a collar component. The system includes at least a tooling interface component, wherein the at least a tooling interface component is configured to mechanically connect the at least a common tooling component at a first end to the at least a modular tooling component at a second end.

A morphing airfoil includes a dynamic flexible skin system that is capable of carrying high level aerodynamic (or fluid) pressure loads over a structural surface. The structural surface can morph and bend in response to control inputs to change a lift force without separate movable control surfaces. A plurality of standoff mounts are attached to an inner surface of anisotropic skin. The standoff mounts include through apertures for receiving a flexible stringer. The anisotropic skin is attached to underlying structure through the flexible stringers. The flexible stringers interface with actuated position control ribs and passive compliant support ribs. A control system causes the underlying support structure to move to a desired location which in turn causes the skin to bend and/or flex without exceeding a stress threshold and thus vary the lift and drag distributions along a span of the airfoil without separate control surfaces.

A skin panel configured for attachment to an aircraft structure is constructed of a composite material and has a continuous, smooth outer surface; a continuous, smooth inner surface that is configured for attachment to an aircraft structure; a peripheral edge that extends entirely around the skin panel and has a continuous, smooth surface and a plurality of cavities inside the material of the skin panel. The cavities reduce the weight of the skin panel without significantly detracting from the compression strength and tensile strength of the skin panel.

A skin panel configured for attachment to an aircraft structure is constructed of a composite material and has a continuous, smooth outer surface; a continuous, smooth inner surface that is configured for attachment to an aircraft structure; a peripheral edge that extends entirely around the skin panel and has a continuous, smooth surface and a plurality of cavities inside the material of the skin panel. The cavities reduce the weight of the skin panel without significantly detracting from the compression strength and tensile strength of the skin panel.

A liquid shim includes a bag (24) defining a closed inner volume and having sealed openings spaced inwardly from a periphery of the bag. The sealed openings are sealed from the closed inner volume and delimit holes extending through the bag. A liquid shim material (22) is flowable through the closed inner volume around the sealed openings and is curable to form a solid. The liquid shim material has a liquid shim material volume being less than the closed inner volume of the bag. A method of creating a liquid shim, and a method of shimming a gap between components, is also disclosed.

A liquid shim includes a bag (24) defining a closed inner volume and having sealed openings spaced inwardly from a periphery of the bag. The sealed openings are sealed from the closed inner volume and delimit holes extending through the bag. A liquid shim material (22) is flowable through the closed inner volume around the sealed openings and is curable to form a solid. The liquid shim material has a liquid shim material volume being less than the closed inner volume of the bag. A method of creating a liquid shim, and a method of shimming a gap between components, is also disclosed.

A noise attenuation element can be arranged for connection to an air directing structure such as a wing flap. The element has a non-uniform lattice density across at least a portion of the body of the element.