Title: MAD MUTT
Designers: Ed Burnett and Jeff Beranek with input from the rest of the Lockheed Martin Aero MAD MUTT team
Year it was designed: 2011
Explanation or story behind the logo: The MAD MUTT (X-56A) is the Multi-utility Aeroelastic Demonstrator – Multi Utility Technology Testbed. This is a technology test platform that is currently being utilized for aeroelastic research. The patch begins on the left with the contributing vibration modes which lead to stability issues such as body freedom flutter; SP (short period), SW1B (symmetric wing 1st bending), SW1T (symmetric wing 1st torsion), AW1T (anti-symmetric wing 1st bending), and AW1T (anti-symmetric wing 1st torsion). The stability aspect is indicated by the shaking of our MAD MUTT’s left ear. Surrounding his head are RR, RF, FR, and FF. These signify the coupling aspects of the rigid and flexible vehicle dynamics. These are partitions of the matrix that describes the vehicle dynamics. The partitions are Rigid/Rigid (RR), Rigid/Flex (RF), Flex/Rigid (FR), and Flex/Flex (FF). Through the control technology of Integrated Flight and Aeroelastic Control (IFAC), this being contained within the mind of the MAD MUTT, this instability of Rigid Flex Coupling (RFC) is then controlled. The result pops out the right ear of MAD MUTT to produce an orderly world of the n-degree of freedom (NDOF) vehicle with; Body Freedom Flutter (BFF), Symmetric Wing Bending Torsion (SWBT), and Anti-symmetric Wing Bending Torsion (AWBT) being controlled. His right ear is stable. Of course, there needs to be the Latin translation of his name which is Canis Insanus. His look of satisfaction is highlighted by his tie which is the planform of the MAD MUTT X-56A. The program is sponsored by AFRL; designed, built, ground tested, and flight tested by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works; and now being used by NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center for continued aeroelastic research.