F-8 Supercritical Wing (SCW) in flight

The F-8 Supercritical Wing was a flight research project designed to test a new wing concept designed by Dr. Richard Whitcomb, chief of the Transonic Aerodynamics Branch, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. Compared to a conventional wing, the supercritical wing (SCW) is flatter on the top and rounder on the bottom with a downward curve at the trailing edge. The Supercritical Wing was designed to delay the formation of and reduce the shock wave over the wing just below and above the speed of sound (transonic region of flight). Delaying the shock wave at these speeds results in less drag.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• f-8
• scw
• nasa
• dryden

[flyinkiwi01]

To respond to your question LTF85199. Shock waves form perpenducular to the leading edge of the wing at the critical mach number for the wing. So if the wing is swept back and the airflow is M0.8, only the component of that perpendicular to the wing leading edge will count and will be less than M0.8. This means that if the aircraft can travel faster before shockwaves form and affect the aircraft.

[LTF85199]

Scan, do you know if it worked? Also i have a question for you, you know the swept wing design on commercial aircraft, what is its proporse, I know it cruise around M .8. So it it reducting the shock formed on top of the wing? or the shock wave created at the nose?