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Inflatable Wing Technology Demonstrator
DFRC Movie # Movie Date Movie Description
EM-0080-01 April 23, 2001 First Test Flight of the Inflatable Wing Technology Demonstrator at Edwards AFB
EM-0080-02 May 7, 2001 Second Test Flight of the Inflatable Wing Technology Demonstrator at Edwards AFB

The deployable, inflatable wing technology demonstrator experiment represented a basic flight research effort by Dryden personnel.

Three successful flights of the I2000 inflatable wing aircraft occurred. During the flights, the team air-launched the radio-controlled (R/C) I2000 from an R/C utility airplane at an altitude of 800-1000 feet.

As the I2000 separated from the carrier aircraft, its inflatable wings "popped-out," deploying rapidly via an on-board nitrogen bottle. The aircraft remained stable as it transitioned from wingless to winged flight. The unpowered I2000 glided down to a smooth landing under complete control.

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