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Aug. 14, 2009

Past Projects: F-16XL

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The laminar flow experiment on the delta-wing F-16XL #2 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.

Credits: NASA Photo

Project Summary

Two F-16XL aircraft were used by the Dryden Flight Research

Center, Edwards, CA, in a NASA-wide program to improve

laminar airflow on aircraft flying at sustained supersonic speeds.

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It was the first program to look at laminar flow on swept wings

at speeds representative of those at which a high speed civil

transport might fly.

The initial research phase of the program at Dryden was flown in

a single-seat F-16XL-1. The aircraft at Dryden subsequently

used for the supersonic laminar flow program was the two-seat

F-16XL-2, identical to its sistership except for the cockpit

configuration.

The two aircraft are the only F-16XL's built and were used by

NASA because the unique delta wing design is representative of

the type of wing that will probably be used on future supersonic

cruise aircraft.

Project Background

A certain amount of air turbulence occurs on the surface of most

aircraft wings, regardless of the shape and size of the wing. As

air moves across an airfoil, it is changed by the frictional force

between it and the airfoil's surface from a laminar (smooth) flow

at the forward area to a more turbulent flow toward the trailing

edge. The "perfect" wing would demonstrate laminar airflow

across the entire surface of the wing, with no sign of turbulence.

This turbulence affects flying performance by increasing

aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption.

Much laminar flow research is carried out with two basic types

of experimental devices – active and passive – that are attached

to the research aircraft's wing. These devices are commonly

called "gloves."

Active test sections contain tiny holes or slots through which

most of the turbulent layer of air is siphoned off by an internal

suction system built into the wing. This decreases drag and

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enhances aerodynamic lift by either eliminating the turbulent

Latest Related airflow or reducing its effect.

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Passive experimental devices also attach to or become a part of

Past Projects: Orion - Launch Abort the research aircraft's wing, but do not use a suction system to

System Pad Abort Test remove the turbulent air. Through careful contouring of the

4 years ago wing's surface, some laminar flow can be achieved naturally.

Both types of laminar flow devices obtain data from sensors and

(/centers/armstrong/history/pastproject other instrumentation built into or attached to the wing to

measure airflow characteristics (especially the region of

Past Projects: Western States Fire transition from laminar to turbulent flow) and pressure

Mission distribution.

8 years ago
Flight Research

(/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/W
The initial flight test phase of the Dryden Supersonic Laminar

Past Projects: Pathfinder / Pathfinder Flow Control project (SLFC) examined the performance of an

Plus Solar-Powered Aircraft active experimental wing section on the upper surface of the left

10 years ago wing of the single-seat F-16XL-1. The 1991-1992 tests showed

that with active laminar flow control, the aircraft achieved

(/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/E laminar flow over a significant portion of the wing during

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Past Projects: Global Observer Joint supersonic flight, although it did not obtain laminar flow on the

Capability Technology Demonstration active glove at the design point of Mach 1.6 (1.6 times the speed

10 years ago of sound) at 44,000 ft. The experimental glove with active

(perforated titanium) and passive sections was designed by

(/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/G Rockwell International's North American Aircraft Division, El

Segundo, CA (now a division of Boeing).

Past Projects: X-48B Blended Wing

10 years ago comprehensive research effort, consisting of two phases. The

first phase used a passive glove on the right wing to obtain

(/centers/dryden/research/X- baseline configuration data that served in the design of the

48B/index.html) active glove, which was installed over a portion of the left wing.

This effort was far more comprehensive than the initial flight

Past Projects: X-43A Hypersonic phase, and explored regions of transition and the maximum

Research Aircraft extent of laminar flow obtained over a wider range of supersonic

11 years ago Mach numbers.

(/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/X The glove covered about 75 percent of the upper wing surface

and 60 percent of the wing's leading edge. It was designed by a

Past Projects: X-45 Unmanned Combat NASA and contractor team which included the Langley Research

Air Vehicle (UCAV) Center, Dryden, Rockwell International, Boeing, and McDonnell
11 years ago Douglas. It featured a titanium suction panel and a foam-and-

fiberglass passive fairing. The device was instrumented to

imperfections and the acoustic environment that may affect

laminar flow at various flight conditions.

The metal surface of the experimental wing panel was

perforated with about 10 million nearly microscopic laser-cut

holes. Through the tiny holes, a suction system embedded in the

wing drew off a very small portion of the boundary layer of air

just above the wing's surface, thereby expanding the laminar

flow across the wing. The flight engineer used a control panel

located in the aft cockpit of the airplane to fine-tune the amount

of airflow sucked through the holes. This procedure permitted

investigation of the effect of suction volume on the area

distribution of laminar flow. Researchers believe that laminar

flow conditions can reduce aerodynamic drag (friction) and help

reduce operating costs by reducing fuel consumption.

The project flew the F-16XL-2 45 times between Oct.13, 1995,

and Nov. 26, 1996, obtaining significant amounts of valuable

flight research data. NASA research pilot Dana Purifoy flew 38 of

the missions, with NASA research pilot Mark Stucky flying the

other 7. During the flights, there were few problems with the

experimental suction hardware.

Project Management

The F-16XL flight project office was located at the NASA Dryden

Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. The NASA Langley

Research Center, developed and coordinated F-16XL

experiments. Project managers at Dryden were Marta Bohn-

Meyer and Carol Reukauf.

Aircraft Specifications

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The F-16XL aircraft were built by General Dynamics

Corp., at Ft. Worth, TX, as prototypes for a derivative

fighter evaluation program conducted by the U. S. Air

Force between 1982 and 1985.

The aircraft were developed from basic F-16 airframes,

with the most notable difference being the delta (cranked

arrow) wing, which give the aircraft a greater range

because of increased fuel capacity in the wing tanks and

a larger load capability due to increased wing area.

Crew size: F-16XL-2, used in the second phase of the

laminar flow project, has a two-seat cockpit.

F-16XL-1, used in the 1991-1992 tests, is a single-seat

aircraft.

Size: Length, 54.2 ft (16.52 m); wingspan, 34.3 ft (10.45

m); height at vertical tail, 17.7 ft (5.39 m).

Max. weight: 48,000 lb (17,915.60 kg)

Engines: The two-seat aircraft at NASA Dryden has a

General Electric F110-GE-129 engine (with afterburner)

rated at 29,000 lb thrust. The single-seat F-16XL is

powered by a Pratt and Whitney 100-PW-100 engine

(with afterburner), rated at 23,830 lb thrust.

Controls: Both aircraft featured an analog fly-by-wire

electronic flight control system during the laminar flow

research. The single-seat aircraft now has a digital flight

control system.

Wing construction: The delta (cranked arrow) wings on

both aircraft are manufactured of advanced graphite

composites to provide strength for high wing loads

during flight.

Design load: Baseline F-16XL: 9 "Gs". Modified F-16XL:

3 "Gs") Maximum Speed: F-16XL-2, Mach 2 (approx.

1,400 mph) (2,253 k/hr); F-16XL-1, Mach 1.8 (approx.

1,260 mph)

Range: Over 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 k), without in-

flight refueling, and unlimited with in-flight refueling.

Last Updated: Aug. 7, 2017

Editor: Yvonne Gibbs

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