swept-wing
Raked aircraft surfaces
Swept-wing describes aircraft wings angled backward from the fuselage rather than extending straight out.
This design reduces drag at high speeds and is standard on jet aircraft: a swept-wing fighter, the swept-wing silhouette of a 747.
The configuration became widespread after World War II as planes approached and exceeded the speed of sound.
One who engages in combat
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- interceptorAircraft that intercepts threats
- airlinerLarge commercial passenger plane
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
jet · transport · tanker · reconnaissance · delta · tailless · canard · twin-engine
Exceeding audio velocity
- transonicNear sound-speed velocity
- subsonicBelow sound's speed
- hypersonicFaster than Mach five
- machAirspeed-to-soundspeed ratio
high-speed · cruise · dash · penetration · low-level · high-altitude · maneuverability · pitch
Arranged in thin layers
- vortexRotating fluid column
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
At technology's forefront
- wingletUpturned aircraft tip extension
- cantileverBeam supported one end
- monoplaneSingle-wing aircraft
- taperedGradually narrowing in width
fighter
One who engages in combat
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- interceptorAircraft that intercepts threats
- airlinerLarge commercial passenger plane
glider · jet · transport · tanker · reconnaissance · delta · tailless · canard · twin-engine · narrow-body
supersonic
Exceeding audio velocity
- transonicNear sound-speed velocity
- subsonicBelow sound's speed
- hypersonicFaster than Mach five
mach · high-speed · cruise · dash · penetration · low-level · high-altitude · maneuverability · pitch · yaw
laminar
Arranged in thin layers
- vortexRotating fluid column
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
leading-edge
At technology's forefront
- wingletUpturned aircraft tip extension
- cantileverBeam supported one end
- monoplaneSingle-wing aircraft
flaps
Hinged control surfaces
airbrake · fuselage · nacelle · elevator · rudder · wingtip · spar · rib · skin · hardpoint