Adaptive compliant trailing edge

File:ACTE taxi testing 2014-10-31.jpg. The flap itself (here extended to 20 degrees deflection) is smoothly bendable and does not open gaps in the wing surface. Also the two triangular gaps between the flaps and the fixed wing are bridged by flexible material.]]

Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) is a research project on shape-changing flaps for aircraft wings, intended to reduce the aircraft's fuel costs and reduce noise during take-off and landing. It is a join effort by NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory{{cite news|title=Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flight Experiment|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/research/ACTE|publisher=NASA|date=10 March 2014|access-date=29 January 2015}} and first airborne tests have been conducted in late 2014.

ACTE flaps close the gaps present in conventional flaps using flexible material, generating a continuous bendable surface. As of 2015 enhanced hinged wing flaps (which fold out from under the wing's trailing edge and are used on most jets) are studied. A Gulfstream III business aircraft of the AFRL has been equipped with flaps from FlexSys Inc. and is performing airborne flight tests since 7 November 2014.{{cite news|title=NASA Tests Revolutionary Shape Changing Aircraft Flap for the First Time |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/november/nasa-tests-revolutionary-shape-changing-aircraft-flap-for-the-first-time/|publisher=NASA|date=7 November 2014|access-date=8 December 2014}}{{cite news|title=NASA eyes revolutionary aircraft wing technology|url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/nasa-eyes-revolutionary-aircraft-wing-technology/|publisher=Fox News|date=10 November 2014|access-date=8 December 2014}}

FlexSys Inc., a company founded by Prof. Kota in 2000, is dedicated to develop the concept of a flexible aircraft wing and received {{USD}}40 million in financial assistance from the Air Force's small business innovation research program. According to FlexSys the technology helps in fuel savings of 4% to 12% {{cite news|title=FlexSys's wing flaps promise to save fuel|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=20 November 2014 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-11-20/flexsyss-wing-flaps-promise-to-save-fuel|access-date=29 January 2015}} and noise reduction during takeoff and landing by up to 40%.{{cite web|title=Kota's FlexFoil Technology Gains Recognition|url=https://me-web2.engin.umich.edu/pub/news/newsitem?newsItemId=698|access-date=14 December 2014}}