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F-16XL Ship #2

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
  Skip links in main table 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
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
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




Last Modified: March 22, 1998
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