The old carrier value of biplane handling appears in a modern uncrewed-aircraft concept. Its wing would split and reposition into a biplane arrangement for takeoff and landing, increasing lift at low speed. The proposed change could reduce landing speed below about 55 knots. That would bring the aircraft within the operating envelope of a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier without adding conventional arresting gear. The example shows that an old aerodynamic arrangement can remain useful when deck length and recovery speed dominate the requirement.
Notable Point · 14:35-15:26
A folding biplane wing for carrier-capable UAV landings
A proposed UAV that changes from monoplane to biplane form illustrates how low-speed lift can make an aircraft compatible with a short carrier deck.