With the advancement of smart materials and advanced manufacturing processes

bio-inspired morphing aircraft have progressively overcome the limitations of morphing mechanisms in terms of weight and energy efficiency

sparking growing research interest among domestic and international aviation industries and academic institutions. Morphing aircrafts face multiple design challenges during development

including requirements for maintaining smooth and continuous aerodynamic surfaces

control efficiency

anisotropic load-bearing and deformation stiffness characteristics

as well as flight controllability. This paper comprehensively reviewed the structural design and key technologies for morphing mechanisms in large-scaled aviation platforms and small-scaled UAVs. The synergistic integration of compliant architectures

intelligent material systems

and advanced fabrication techniques was emphasized to advance the development and implementation of morphing mechanisms. Key technologies such as mechanical metamaterials

smart actuators and sensors

flexible skins

and compliant mechanisms were analyzed

along with their main challenges and unresolved issues

to prospect future development trends in morphing aircraft technology.