Full-scale Outer Wing Box Demonstrator
Innovative Outer Wing Box Demonstrator targets lightweight, cost-efficient design:
A key highlight in the HERWINGT project is the development of a 3.2-meter span Outer Wing Box (OWB) demonstrator, engineered to showcase advanced structural and manufacturing technologies aimed at reducing both weight and production costs. This high aspect ratio (HAR) wing section integrates a hybrid architecture, including metallic closure ribs, thermoplastic internal ribs, a thermoplastic lower stiffened panel, fast-curing prepreg spars, and an infusion-moulded skin panel. The demonstrator is designed for full-scale structural testing, supporting the validation of design, manufacturing, and assembly processes. The initiative targets a TRL progression from 3 to 5, marking a significant step toward next-generation wing structures.
In this episode, find out how the HERWINGT Outer Wing Box Demonstrator has been advanced!
The OWB demonstrator captures the final 3 meters of the UCA configuration wing designed within the HERWINGT Project, showcasing the integration of multiple breakthrough manufacturing technologies.
This full-scale section brings together a refined mix of advanced materials and processes, including:
- Lower panel manufactured with LRI technology using an innovative resin system
- Upper panel produced through ISC with high-performance thermoplastic materials
- Front and rear spars, along with rib 5, were built from a fast-curing advanced material
- Ribs 1–4 engineered entirely from thermoplastic materials
The upcoming structural up-bending and torsion tests will be critical to validating these technologies and advancing them to TRL 5 — marking a significant step toward next-generation, lightweight, and cost-efficient wing structures.
Watch Episode 2 here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLLEdDzU-zo)