The Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Lower Drag aircraft, or Prandtl-D, is just about to release from the bungee that is used to launch it.
AFRC2017-0227-124
The Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Lower Drag aircraft, or Prandtl-D, is just about to release from the bungee that is used to launch it. This series of flights was researching dynamic pressure on the aircraft to validate the efficiencies of the wing. Prandtl shows the value of wings designed with a wing configuration that features a unique twist in its shape to increase flight efficiency and reduce fuel use. The Prandtl-D research, which has been bolstered by student interns, has resulted in a patent for the wing design method and another for propellers using the same geometric elements as the Prandtl-D wing design.
August 9, 2017
NASA Photo / Lauren Hughes