The laminar flow experiment on the delta-wing F-16XL featured an internal suction system that pulled a small part of the boundary layer of air above the wing through millions of tiny laser-cut holes in the outer skin of the experiment, creating laminar flow.
The research program was managed by NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., and involved an aerospace industry team that includes Boeing, Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas.
Information
Taken in
Edwards Air Force Base
Author
NASA
Description
The laminar flow experiment on the delta-wing F-16XL featured an internal suction system that pulled a small part of the boundary layer of air above the wing through millions of tiny laser-cut holes in the outer skin of the experiment, creating laminar flow.
The research program was managed by NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., and involved an aerospace industry team that includes Boeing, Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas.