The Demon unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has successfully completed its maiden flapless flight from an airfield at Walney Island in Cumbria, UK.

The UAV, with a wingspan of 8ft and weighing 200lb, and with a flight speed of 70kt-150kt has been developed by Cranfield University, BAE Systems, and nine other UK universities.

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The flapless system of Demon, developed fluidic flight control concept, will reduce the number of moving parts and maintenance, whilst providing a more stealthy profile to the aircraft.

During the test, Demon successfully demonstrated flapless flight when the conventional flap control system was turned off and the aircraft flew and manoeuvred using the new technology.

BAE Systems promoted the development of the £6.2m ($9.8m) flapless air vehicle integrated industrial research (Flaviir) programme that led to the development of the Demon UAV.

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