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What is a supercritical wing design?
A supercritical airfoil (supercritical aerofoil in British English) is an airfoil designed primarily to delay the onset of wave drag in the transonic speed range. The formation of these shockwaves causes wave drag. Supercritical airfoils are designed to minimize this effect by flattening the upper surface of the wing.
What is the most efficient airfoil design?
If the airplane is designed for low-speed flight, a thick airfoil is most efficient, whereas a thin airfoil is more efficient for high-speed flight. There are generally two kinds of airfoils: laminar flow and conventional.
How are supercritical airfoils used in aviation?
Called the supercritical airfoil, the design has led to development of the supercritical wings (SCW) now used worldwide on business jets, airliners and transports, and numerous military aircraft. Conventional wings are rounded on top and flat on the bottom. The SCW is flatter on the top, rounded on the bottom,…
What kind of airfoil is used in business jets?
Called the supercritical airfoil, the design has led to development of the supercritical wings (SCW) now used worldwide on business jets, airliners and transports, and numerous military aircraft. Conventional wings are rounded on top and flat on the bottom.
What kind of aircraft use supercritical wing technology?
Supercritical wing technology is now incorporated into the designs of commercial, business, and military aircraft around the world. They include the 777 jetliner, C-17 Air Force transport, and AV-8B Harrier built by Boeing.
When did NASA start the supercritical technology program?
Before the program ended, the U.S. Air Force teamed with NASA for a joint program to test a SCW designed for highly maneuverable military aircraft. An F-111, with a variable-geometry wing, was the test aircraft and the basic supercritical research took place between 1973 and 1975.