James O'Doherty-Jennings • 05.08.25 • 3 min read

James O’Doherty-Jennings, Advanced Technologist – Whole Aircraft, ATI, presented a technical paper at AIAA AVIATION Forum 2025 on mass prediction of high aspect ratio wings, alongside co-author from the Whittle Laboratory, Ewan Gribbin.

A new method to predict the mass and drag of very high aspect ratio wings suitable for use in conceptual design of reference aircraft was presented by the ATI and Whittle Laboratory at AIAA AVIATION Forum 2025 last month.

The ATI invested in the method to help ensure our reference aircraft models accurately capture the various mass and drag trades that exist at the aircraft level, when a configuration uses a very high aspect ratio wing. These reference models underpin ATI activity and help to support the UK aerospace sector with IP-neutral research platform data.

The ATI reference models are free to access for UK aerospace via the ATI Toolkit.

Historic modelling methods rely on correlations which while quick, are not flexible enough to model emerging technologies such as semi-aeroelastic hinge (SAH) or truss braced wing (TBW) load alleviation technologies. This new method of modelling high aspect ratio wings addresses this by using a physics-based approach in place of historical regression methods. This runs in a time suitable for incorporation to concept design studies. The method is flexible, meaning modules of functionality can be added without needing to overhaul the original code, allowing for assessment of new features such as the SAH or TBW.

The ATI will now use the method to refine our existing reference models, enhance our understanding of the aircraft-level design space for load alleviation solutions and look to release new reference models to further support the UK aerospace sector.

Next generation readiness

Elsewhere at the forum it was clear from many of the technical presentations and panel discussions that industry is gearing up for next-generation opportunities in aerospace. These focused on optimising the current aerospace ecosystem including by implementing on-aircraft technology to improve efficiency, optimising the use and management of airspace and looking to lower-carbon fuel sources such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Novel configutations

There were also discussions on novel configurations centred around blended wing body. US-based JetZero which is developing a full-scale demonstrator took part in panel sessions exploring the potential benefits of the architecture by describing their solutions and approach. JetZero provided updates on its aircraft development timeline, and Romar Frazier detailed propulsion integration challenges and strategies to avoid boundary layer ingestion.

A focus on cost and schedule is evident, with a directive from their US Department of Defense (DoD) funders to only demonstrate new technologies which are vital to the success of the demonstrator. This drove an element of simplicity further demonstrated in their partnership with Scaled Composites, who gave an insightful presentation into their approach for working on demonstrator programmes. Reducing team size to reduce interactions and reducing the use of tooling have been key to their historic success with one off demonstrator programmes.

AI and Machine Learning

AI and Machine Learning (ML) were also recurring themes, especially in support of both novel configuration and optimisation. Challenges such as how to ensure future generations have adequate teaching to audit the output of AI when used in design, how to certify systems on aircraft that may have a ML learning algorithm embedded in it and how AI may give certain countries an edge in terms of technological edge were all discussed. Some speakers predicted AI will be the next transformational change in how we do business, similar to how computers and laptops have become the workplace norm for today.