Supersonic Airfoils

A supersonic airfoil is a cross-section geometry designed to

generate lift efficiently at supersonic speeds. The need for such a design arises
when an aircraft is required to operate consistently in the supersonic flight regime.

Types of Supersonic Airfoils

1. Double Wedge Airfoil

Double wedge is the
the symmetric difference of
two
half-spaces
whose
boundaries are not parallel
to each other. An airfoil for
supersonic
blades
and
wings, with a wedge like
taper and sharp leading and
trailing edges.

2. Modified Double Wedge

Modified
Double
Wedge has the same
wedge type with the
original double wedge,
it just that is has its a flat area located in both upper and lower
camber. It is mostly used in rocket aircrafts.

3. Biconvex / Circular Arc Airfoil

It is an airfoil in which has a
convex like shape in both
sides.

Aircrafts that uses Supersonic

Airfoils

1. Double Wedge Airfoil

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a single-seat, twinengine stealth attack aircraft that was developed
by Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by
the United States Air Force (USAF).
2. Circular Arc / Biconvex Airfoil
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a singleengine, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed
by Lockheed for theUnited States Air Force (USAF). One of
the Century Series of aircraft, it was operated by the air forces of
more than a dozen nations from 1958 to 2004. Its design team was
led by Kelly Johnson, who went on to lead or contribute to the
development of the SR-71 Blackbird and other Lockheed aircraft

3.
Modified

Double Wedge

The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wingspan of

22 ft. It was a missile-shaped vehicle with an unusual wedge-shaped
vertical tail, thin stubby wings, and unique side fairings that
extended along the side of the fuselage. The X-15 weighed about
14,000 lb empty and approximately 34,000 lb at launch. The XLR-99
rocket engine, manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Corp., was pilot
controlled and was capable of developing 57,000 lb of thrust.

AENG 414-1
Supersonic Airfoils

SUBMITTED BY:

Marasigan, Rufino Miguel N.

SUBMITTED TO:

Engr. Aiven C. dela Rosa

September 22, 2015