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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. 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. F-16XL#2 Home Page
DFRC Photo # |
Photo Date |
Image Description |
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F-16XL Ship #2 Photo Collection Contact Sheet |
EC96-43811-1 |
November 13,1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 during last flight showing titanium laminar flow glove on left wing |
EC96-43811-2 |
November 13,1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 during last flight viewed from tanker showing titanium laminar flow glove on left wing |
EC96-43831-1 |
October 25, 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 during last flight showing titanium laminar flow glove on left wing |
EC96-43831-2 |
October 25, 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 during last flight viewed over desert |
EC96-43831-5 |
October 25, 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 during last flight viewed from above |
EC96-43831-6 |
October 25, 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 during last flight viewed from below showing shock fence on left wing |
EC95-43267-1 |
September 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 being towed for preflight check |
EC95-43267-2 |
September 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 preflight check on ramp, front view |
EC95-43297-2 |
October 13, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 first flight from above |
EC95-43297-5 |
October 13, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 first flight |
EC95-43297-4 |
October 13, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 first flight |
EC91-646-10 |
October 1991 |
F-16XL Ship #2 in flight |
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Super Laminar Flow Control Glove |
EC96-43762-2 |
October 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - Laminar flow research flight over Lake Mead, Nevada |
EC96-43762-3 |
October 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - Laminar flow research flight over Grand Canyon |
EC95-43240-13 |
August 24, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - Turbo-compressor installation in upper fuselage |
EC95-43288-1 |
October 5, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - with wing glove on ramp |
EC95-43297-6 |
October 13, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - in flight |
EC95-43297-7 |
October 13, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - in flight |
EC96-43548-2 |
April 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - full bottom view in flight |
EC96-43548-8 |
April 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - in flight configured with SLFC "glove" |
EC96-43548-10 |
April 1996 |
F-16XL Ship #2 SLFC - in flight configured with SLFC "glove" |
EC95-43003-1 |
March 10, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 in hangar for Laminar Flow Glove mounting |
EC95-42974-2 |
February 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 Laminar Flow Glove mounting |
EC95-43240-5 |
August 24, 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 Overview in hangar with turbo compressor |
EC95-43286-1 |
October 1995 |
F-16XL Ship #2 wing glove close-up, laser cut holes, with dime for scale |
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Dryden F-16 Fleet |
EC95-42939-3 |
1995 |
F-16 XL #1, #2 and AFTI - and support crew |
EC95-42939-5 |
1995 |
F-16 XL #1, #2 and AFTI - and support crew |
EC97-44293-1 |
September 29, 1997 |
DFRC F-16 fleet 1997 - F-16XL Ship #2, F-16A, AFTI F-16, and F-16XL Ship #1 |
EC97-44293-3 |
September 29, 1997 |
DFRC F-16 fleet and support crew 1997 - F-16XL Ship #2, F-16A, AFTI F-16, and F-16XL Ship #1 |
EC97-44165-149 |
July 16, 1997 |
Dryden 1997 Research Aircraft Fleet on ramp - X-31, F-15 ACTIVE, SR-71, F-106, F-16XL Ship #2, X-38, and X-36 |
Additional Information
A certain amount of air turbulence occurs on the surface of most aircraft wings, regardless of shape and size. Because of its viscosity, as air moves across an airfoil, it changes from a laminar (smooth) flow at the forward area to a more turbulent flow toward the trailing edge. The "perfect" wing would demonstrate laminar air flow across the entire surface of the wing, with no sign of turbulence. This thin turbulent layer affects flying performance by increasing aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption. The experimental wing panel, made mostly of titanium, is perforated with about 10 million nearly microscopic laser-cut holes. An on-board suction system draws off, through the tiny holes, the turbulent layer of air flowing over the wing's surface. Eliminating the layer of rough air creates a laminar flow condition that reduces aerodynamic drag and contributes to fuel savings.
The F-16XL aircraft were built by General Dynamics Corp., at Ft. Worth, Texas, as prototypes for a derivative fighter evaluation program conducted by the Air Force between 1982 and 1985.
F-16XL Ship #1 Aircraft Photo Gallery
F-16XL Fact Sh eet
F-16XL Ship #2 Flight Research Project Information
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