The Development of the Flying Wing

Abstract

The quest for the perfect and efficient airplane has been an ongoing challenge throughout most of the 20th century. Man's struggle to understand the physical forces of aerodynamics has been costly not only in terms of economics but also in human lives. In the developmental and testing stages, aircraft designers and builders have always had to deal with the basic forces of lift, weight, thrust, and drag. The politics of the world also have had a major influence on the development of new aircraft, be it for profit or for war. Aircraft designers and manufacturers are continually searching for ways to improve aircraft for speed, range, weight-carrying capacity, and many other characteristics. The flying wing was conceived, developed, and has evolved for many of the same reasons in man's search for perfection in flying machines.

Author

• Schwader, Ralph L Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University