The laminar flow experiment on the delta-wing F-16XL featured an internal suction system that pulled a small part of the boundary layer of air above the wing through millions of tiny laser-cut holes in the outer skin of the experiment, creating laminar flow.
EC95-43297-4
The laminar flow experiment on the delta-wing F-16XL #2 featured an internal suction system that pulled a small part of the boundary layer of air above the wing through millions of tiny laser-cut holes in the outer skin of the experiment, creating laminar flow.
The research program was managed by NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, and the flying project was performed at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. The aerospace industry team included Boeing, Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas.13 Oct. 1995NASA Photo› F-16XL-2 Project Description