High stiffness shape memory alloy actuated aerostructure

A method for operating a shape memory alloy actuated aerostructure comprising a first face sheet and a second face sheet, the method comprising:

• determining at least one characteristic of a shape memory alloy actuated aerostructure to be optimized;
• determining a flight condition temperature based on current flight conditions;
• controlling a shape memory alloy temperature of at least one portion of at least one shape memory alloy actuator to optimize the at least one characteristic, comprising controlling the shape memory alloy temperature of the least one portion to select and maintain a shape of the at least one shape memory alloy according to the determined flight condition temperature,
• the at least one shape memory alloy actuator comprising a lattice of shape memory alloy metal, located between the first face sheet and the second face sheet, and coupled at substantially maxima of the at least one shape memory alloy actuator to the first face sheet at two or more locations on the first face sheet, and coupled at substantially minima of the at least one shape memory alloy actuator to the second face sheet at two or more locations on the second face sheet, wherein the first face sheet and the second face sheet are each made of materials that differ from the shape memory alloy metal;
• and
• obtaining an optimum area for a variable area fan nozzle by morphing the shape memory alloy actuated aerostructure thereby reducing noise.