Applications of oblique-wing technology - An overview

A summary of oblique-wing technology programs, including system studies and experimental activities, is presented. Oblique-wing civil transports were studied and compared with conventional configurations at design cruise Mach numbers of 0.95 and 1.2. Studies of military configurations employing oblique-wing technology considered aircraft concepts, remotely piloted vehicles, and a cruise missile. Experimental activities included wind-tunnel tests of high and low aspect ratio oblique wings; flight tests are planned using unmanned and manned vehicles. The research program suggests that oblique-wing technology offers improved performance over conventional concepts for aircraft operating in the transonic speed range.