VIDEO ANIMATIONOverview
An Oblique Flying Wing
(OFW) aircraft is an asymmetric flying wing that varies sweep in flight
to improve high speed performance. The variable sweep is achieved
asymmetrically on the oblique wing, with one wing swept forward and the
other swept aft. A supersonic, variable sweep OFW holds the promise of
being very efficient in both high speed cruise and long endurance low
speed loiter. Possible missions that would take advantage of the
combination of high and low speed performance could include:
penetrating intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); long
range bombing; hunter/killer; and multimission aircraft. A supersonic
aircraft capable of long loiter times would have a revolutionary impact
on the battlefield, necessitating fewer combat aircraft and fewer
tankers to accomplish mission objectives. The OFW program will
integrate technologies such as advanced controls to develop and fly a
supersonic X-Plane to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept.
Program Plans
- Develop
oblique wing concept design.
- Define, develop and demonstrate key oblique wing component
technologies.
-
Begin system design for an objective oblique wing system and a
flight demonstrator.
- Develop preliminary design and detailed design of oblique wing flight
demonstrator aircraft.