Aeroelastic Flutter Suppression Using Embedded Smart Material Sensors in UAV Wings

Abstract

Aeroelastic flutter is a critical challenge for lightweight UAV wings, where flexible structures can experience destructive vibrations under aerodynamic forces. This paper investigates the use of embedded smart material sensors—such as piezoelectric patches, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, and piezocomposite actuators—to detect and actively suppress flutter in real time. By integrating these sensors into UAV wings, vibration data is continuously monitored and fed into feedback control systems, allowing rapid actuation to stabilize wing motion. The study combines experimental flight tests and computational simulations to validate the effectiveness of these methods. Challenges including weight constraints, energy consumption, sensor reliability, and signal processing are addressed. The results highlight the potential of smart materials for enhancing UAV safety and performance, while future directions focus on AI-assisted predictive control and adaptive morphing wing designs.