University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) · 1947 · 20 citations · 0 references
Open access
EngineeringAerospace EngineeringMechanical EngineeringAerodynamicsAircraft DesignFluid DynamicsAerodynamic DesignLiftSupersonic AerodynamicsWing AerodynamicsWing TheoryAircraft Aerodynamic DesignAtmospheric PressureHigh-aspect-ratio WingsLift-to-drag RatioMach NumberSupersonic FlowWing Aspect RatioWing Aspect Ratio Effects
Report presenting recent developments in supersonic flow theory that are applied to obtain estimates of the lift-drag ratios that may be achieved by aircraft employing sweptback wings. As the speed increases in the supersonic range, the attainable lift-drag ratios decrease and the gain due to sweepback also diminishes. Results regarding the airplane with constant chord sweptback wing, airplane with tapered wing, effect of plan form, airfoil section, friction drag, and optimum wing loading and altitude are provided.