AD-1

The AD‑1 (Adaptive Demonstrator‑1) was an experimental research aircraft built by Scaled Composites for NASA and the U.S. Air Force in the early 1990s. Designed to test the concept of an adaptable wing, the AD‑1 featured a flexible, Oblique‑wing planform that could rotate in flight from a conventional 0° position to a 60° sweep, changing the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics without adding conventional moving surfaces. Constructed primarily of carbon‑fiber composites, the aircraft’s single‑seat, low‑wing configuration housed a modest 300‑horsepower Lycoming engine and a conventional T‑tail, while the wing pivot was driven by hydraulic actuators controlled from the cockpit. First flown on July 17, 1993, the AD‑1 completed more than 250 flight hours, demonstrating stable handling across the full sweep envelope and providing valuable data on drag reduction, structural loads, and control law development for morphing‑wing technology. Although the program did not lead directly to a production aircraft, its success validated the feasibility of variable‑geometry concepts and inspired later research into adaptive structures, such as the NASA X‑57 Maxwell and various tilt‑wing platforms. The AD‑1 remains a landmark in aviation, illustrating how advanced composites and innovative design can expand the performance envelope of future aircraft.

Scaled Composites

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification