2.
Introduction to Delta Wings
Delta wings, characterized by their triangular planform resembling the Greek letter "Δ," are
among the most distinctive and influential wing designs in aviation. Developed primarily to
address the challenges of high-speed flight, the delta wing has been utilized in various
applications ranging from supersonic passenger jets to agile military aircraft.
This wing design offers several advantages rooted in its unique geometry. The sharply swept
leading edges reduce drag at supersonic speeds, enabling efficient high-speed travel. For
instance, the Concorde’s delta wings allowed it to cruise at Mach 2.04 (approximately 2,180
km/h), cutting transatlantic flight times in half. On the other hand, delta wings also excel in
generating lift at high angles of attack through the creation of leading-edge vortices. This
property gives fighter jets like the Mirage III, capable of reaching speeds over Mach 2.2,
exceptional maneuverability during dogfights.
Delta wings are not limited to supersonic applications. Their large surface area provides
ample internal volume for fuel and payload, a feature leveraged in designs like the Avro
Vulcan bomber. The wide wings also contribute to better structural integrity, distributing
aerodynamic loads effectively, which reduces the need for heavy reinforcement and allows
for simpler construction. In this section we will be introduced to the delta wings' capabilities,
how do they work, comparisons and most important subsection will be the “why”:
2.1 Control Surfaces of the design:
For any airplane, moving around the x,y, and z is a must to maintain flight. Here is an
explanation of how the delta wing aircraft achieves control on those axes:
● Pitch (Y-Axis): Controlled by elevons (in most cases); both elevated up to move the
nose up and elevated down to move the nose down. (Unbalanced lifting force leads
to the nose to change its vector)
● Roll (X-Axis): Achieved through differential elevation deflection; again unbalanced
lifting forces, but now between the two wings, not the nose and rear.
● Yaw (Z-Axis): Primarily managed by the vertical stabilizer; interestingly, the design of
the delta wings reduces adverse yaw effect. Due to the differential elevation
deflection, the wing with higher lift produces more drag compared to the wing with the
low lift, for the short wing span of delta wings design this effect is lowered, as the
variation resultant gets smaller (there are other factors play a role to lower it).
Configurations of Delta Wings in Aircraft
1. Standard Delta Wing
Examples:
● Concorde (supersonic transport)
● Dassault Mirage III (fighter aircraft)
Advantages:
1. High-Speed Efficiency: The swept leading edges of the standard delta reduce the
formation of shock waves at supersonic speeds, minimizing wave drag. This makes it
suitable for supersonic aircraft like the Concorde.
2. High Angle of Attack (AoA) Tolerance: The leading-edge vortices provide stable lift
at steep angles, enhancing the ability to maneuver during combat situations.
3. Structural Simplicity: The triangular shape uniformly distributes stress, resulting in
a lightweight but robust structure.
Disadvantages:
1. Poor Subsonic Performance: At lower speeds, the large surface area increases
drag, reducing efficiency. This was evident in the Concorde's high fuel consumption
during takeoff and climb.
2. Limited Control at Low Speeds: Without additional high-lift devices, the wing
suffers from reduced lift generation during landing and takeoff, requiring long
runways.
ggg
