Performance of Adaptive Wingtips on a Tailless Supersonic Business Jet

Authors

Khushi Piparava, University of Texas at ArlingtonFollow

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

The growing interest in supersonic business travel has renewed focus on efficient, low-drag configurations that can achieve high performance while maintaining stability and structural integrity. This research investigates the aerodynamic and structural implications of adaptive folding wingtips on a tailless supersonic business jet (SBJ) concept designed under the SkyBreaker senior design program. Using a conceptual aerodynamic model based on linearized supersonic theory, the Polhamus leading-edge suction analogy, and an empirical compression-lift correlation, the study evaluates how varying wingtip droop angles influence lift, drag, lift-to-drag ratio (L/D), and static stability. The analysis was performed parametrically in MATLAB, using geometry inputs derived from the team’s Configuration Evaluation phase configuration. Steady-state cruise conditions between Mach 1.8 and 2.5 were examined to quantify aerodynamic efficiency across the supersonic regime. Structural effects were estimated through a simplified bending-moment model to assess load redistribution resulting from tip deflection. Results show that moderate droop angles can yield localized compression-lift benefits and slight L/D improvements near cruise, while larger droop angles significantly alter stability margins and root bending loads. This study demonstrates how adaptive wingtips could serve as a variable-geometry control feature for supersonic business jets, providing a framework for multidisciplinary assessment at the conceptual design level.

Disciplines

Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics | Aeronautical Vehicles | Other Aerospace Engineering | Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

Publication Date

Fall 12-9-2025

Faculty Mentor of Honors Project

Dr. Bernd Chudoba

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Piparava, Khushi, "Performance of Adaptive Wingtips on a Tailless Supersonic Business Jet" (2025). 2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects. 1.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_fall2025/1