---
title: "NASA’s Shape-Shifting Plane Wings Pass Initial Flight Tests"
description: "After six months and 22 flights at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, NASA has announced the successful completion of testing for its morphing airplane wing design."
date: "2015-04-29"
modified: "2015-08-13"
authors:
  - name: "Mark Parker"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/parkerm"
url: "https://futurism.com/nasas-shape-shifting-plane-wings-pass-initial-flight-tests"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
  - "NASA"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "transport"
---

# NASA’s Shape-Shifting Plane Wings Pass Initial Flight Tests

![Default Futurism featured image](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Futurism-Filler-Image.jpg>)

- Known as Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flight control surfaces, they replace a plane's conventional, rigid flaps with a flexible composite material. Not only are they designed to significantly reduce an aircraft's weight, these flaps could save the industry millions of dollars annually in fuel savings.
- In tests, the wing's curve remained set anywhere from -2 to 30 degrees but it can be adjusted as needed, even in midflight. Eventually, flexible wings can make for lighter, more fuel-efficient planes as well as quieter takeoffs and landings.
- This is the first of eight large-scale integrated technology demonstrations ERA is finishing up this year that are designed to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment.