Dryden research pilot Dana Purifoy moves NASA F-16 XL #848 (ship 2) away from the tanker on the 44th flight in the Supersonic Laminar Flow Control project.
EC96-43811-1
Dryden research pilot Dana Purifoy moves NASA F-16 XL #848 (ship 2) away from the tanker on the 44th flight in the Supersonic Laminar Flow Control project. The flight test portion of the project ended with the 45th and last data collection flight from NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, on Nov. 26, 1996.
The project demonstrated that laminar-or smooth-airflow could be achieved over a major portion of a wing at supersonic speeds. The flight tests at Dryden involved use of a suction system which drew boundary-layer air through millions of tiny laser-drilled holes in a titanium “glove” that was fitted to the upper surface of the F-16XL’s left wing.November 13, 1996NASA Photo› F-16XL-2 Project Description