First flapless aircraft with no conventional control surfaces

The UK defence company, BAE, in cooperation with Cranfield University and nine other UK universities, has produced an unmanned aerial vehicle with no conventional control surfaces. The UAV, the DEMON, uses outputs from air jets to control airflow over the wing - based on a concept called fluidic flight control - manipulating lift and drag to control its flight path rather than employing traditional, mechanical elevators and ailerons. The maiden flight took place on 17 September 2010 from an airfield at Walney Island in Cumbria, UK. When fully developed, the technology will revolutionise the stealth qualities of military aircraft and reduce fuel and maintenance costs for commercial aircraft.