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F-8 SCW Images

Description Date DFRC # 600x480
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F-8 SCW 3-View line art Feb 1998 EG-0029-01 18 KBytes 42 KBytes 78 KBytes 124 KBytes
F-8 SCW in flight line art Feb 1998 EG-0029-02 18 KBytes 42 KBytes 78 KBytes 124 KBytes

The F-8 Supercritical Wing was a flight research project designed to test a new wing concept designed by Dr. Richard Whitcomb, chief of the Transonic Aerodynamics Branch, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia.

Compared to a conventional wing, the supercritical wing (SCW) is flatter on the top and rounder on the bottom with a downward curve at the trailing edge. The Supercritical Wing was designed to delay the formation of and reduce the shock wave over the wing just below and above the speed of sound (transonic region of flight). Delaying the shock wave at these speeds results in less drag.



Last Modified: April 10, 2003
Responsible NASA Official: Marty Curry
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