Apparatus and method for modulating the lift of a blade airfoil

An apparatus (100) comprising: an airfoil (110) adapted for generating a lift force; and a first pulse detonation actuator (120) disposed inside the airfoil (110) and adapted for impulsively detonating a fuel/air mixture to produce a pressure rise and velocity increase of combustion products therein, the airfoil (110) having a plurality of lift control holes (130) adapted for communicating combustion product flows from the first pulse detonation actuator (120) to an airfoil surface (140) to modulate the lift force.