Here are a few common airfoil design types: The idea is that, at moderate airspeed, airflow will provide positive lift as described by Bernoulli’s equation. Typical airfoil design implements a higher radius of curvature (flatter) on the bottom surface and a shorter (cambered) radius of curvature on the top surface. Therefore, alternative airfoil styles are used to support supersonic laminar flow. Supersonic laminar flow places excessive drag on traditional airfoils because these create an earlier transition to flow separation and turbulence. Airfoils That Support Supersonic Laminar FlowĪirflow across an aircraft during flight depends on the shape of the airfoil and the body of the aircraft. We typically use the Mach number (Ma) to define when an aircraft enters the transonic flight regime as well as the Reynolds number to define a limit on airspeed that leads to turbulent flow along the aircraft and wing. How do we ensure low drag flight with laminar flow across the wing and body? This requires designing the curvature of the body and wing such that airflow is always laminar, even at speeds beyond the speed of sound. Eventually, the aircraft will move so fast that airflow across the body of the craft will become turbulent and will eventually limit the aircraft’s speed. During supersonic flight, airflow across the wings and body of the aircraft should remain in the laminar flow regime, as the goal is to create the lowest possible drag. The transition from subsonic to supersonic speed marks a progressive increase in drag due to increasing airspeed as well as a shockwave as the critical Mach number (Ma = 1) is passed. The Transition to Supersonic Laminar Flow The goal of these simulations is to minimize drag and ensure maximum airspeed within the laminar regime. As aircraft speed increases beyond the critical Mach number, the supersonic laminar flow will dominate flow behavior as long as the aircraft’s wing is designed properly. Ultimately, the Concorde retired in 2003, but research and development in supersonic flight still continue today.ĬFD simulations are some of the primary tools used to design supersonic aircraft for commercial and military deployment, and understanding flow behavior is the main goal of these simulations. The promise of traversing transatlantic routes in approximately 4 hours stoked a near-obsession with supersonic flight. When the Concorde began its first supersonic flight in 1969, it was a landmark moment for the aeronautics industry. The airfoil design will determine airflow behavior along the body and wings of an aircraft. Supersonic laminar flow corresponds to velocities above the speed of sound. Laminar flow is desirable in aerodynamics in order to keep drag low.

Laminar flow airfoil