4 ms·
Why has nobody designed a variable width wing? One that can expand / contract for different speeds? Naïve question, I know. Just curious...
by swendoog 9y ago
Why has nobody designed a variable width wing? One that can expand / contract for different speeds?
Naïve question, I know. Just curious...
- webreac 9y agoConcorde has a variable width wing.
- DuskStar 9y agoI think they mean variable geometry more in the line of the B-1 Lancer or F-14 Tomcat... And the answer is probably cost, complexity, reliability and weight.
- WalterBright 9y agoAll four of those.
- WalterBright 9y agoThey're called flaps and slats. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/flap.html https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/flap.html
- gns24 9y agoBarnes Wallis developed some interesting designs in the early 50s: http://www.sirbarneswallis.com/Supersonics.htm http://www.sirbarneswallis.com/Supersonics.htm