The Northrop X-21A was an experimental aircraft designed to test wings with laminar flow control. It was based on the Douglas WB-66D airframe, with the wing-mounted engines moved to the rear fuselage and making space for air compressors.

May 2, 2023 · Explore how a wing’s lift could be artificially boosted to reduce drag and increase performance, particularly in large, long-range aircraft designs—some of which would be supersonic. Drag...

The X-planes are a series of experimental United States aircraft and rockets, used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts. They have an X designator within the US system of aircraft designations, which denotes the experimental research mission.

The Stearman XA-21 (Model X-100) was a competitor in a United States Army Air Corps competition for a twin-engined attack aircraft which (after redesigns) led to the Douglas A-20 Havoc, Martin A-22 Maryland and North American B-25 Mitchell.

Dec 10, 2023 · In the early 1960s, amidst the dynamic landscape of aviation exploration, the Northrop X-21A emerged as a beacon of innovation. Tasked with a mission that went beyond the ordinary, this experimental aircraft sought to unravel the secrets of laminar-flow control, a technology promising transformative improvements in aerodynamic efficiency.

Jul 7, 2011 · Laminar-flow control is a technology that offers the potential for improvements in aircraft fuel usage, range or endurance that far exceed any known single aeronautical technology. In...

Much extremely valuable information, however, was obtained during the X-21 flight program, supported by wind-tunnel and analytical studies. After successfully demonstrating the ability to achieve laminar flow over approximately 75 percent of the wing surface, the X-21As were used to explore the impact of rain, sleet, snow, and other weather ...

The prototype’s wing lift was artificially boosted by an extensive pattern of razor-thin slots in the upper wing surface to reduce drag. Get the latest FLYING stories delivered directly to your...

Jul 25, 2021 · PILATUS PC-21 The Pilatus PC-21 is a turboprop-powered advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit. It is manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. (wiki) This model was created in 2020, but has since being in the shelf, so I decided to share it with you. Has a fairly complete 3D cockpi...

The Northrop X-21A was an experimental aircraft designed to test wings with laminar flow control. It was based on the Douglas WB-66D airframe, with the wing-mounted engines moved to the rear fuselage and making space for air compressors.