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Was wondering does anybody think we will see variable geometry wings like the f-14 or f-111 incorporated into new designs or are they too expensive and cause too much of a weight penalty when compared to modern design techniques.

It is not economical to have them in a fighter design, Also with the focus since the 80's on Stealthy Platforms, a Variable Geometry wing goes against the radar return angles needed for stealth. Since the geometry itself is the key factor in stealth.

I think the B1 will forever be the last of the Variable geometry designs for low level Penetration and manueverability.

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see their near and dear bathed in tears, to ride their horses and sleep on the white bellies of their wives and daughters."
-Genghis Khan

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\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

VG will return when a need is expressed and a specification is written that requires it. For instance, it would still be attractive if smaller aircraft carriers existed with cat/arresting gear capability equivalent to the old Essex class, or if another requirement (really heavy launch/bring back weight?) would overrun even the current supercarrier capability. There has to be a compelling reason in the mission of the airplane that requires slow approach speeds and/or long endurance without giving up high speed dash and range. That kind of performance is out of style recently. VG is not ideal for stealth, but I believe it can be worked out. A mission that comes to mind where VG might be competitive is a carrier suitable (and STOL) special ops transport.

THE RAMPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Who cares if it works? Does it look good on the ramp?"

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I recall that the concept of the VG just merged into another with a 'morphing wing'. NASA is currently testing it out on one of their F/A-18s.

JD,
Here's an article about it that I once posted a time ago:
http://ipp.nasa.gov/innovation/innovati ... tech3.html





Edited by - Tritonal-05 on Apr 19 2005 07:47 AM

more telling may be that while all major metal benders have tried a VG wing only Tupelov has tried it twice TU-26 TU-160. They bring a huge increase in complexity and they just sit there and break.

Fighting For Justice With Brains Of Steel !
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The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

Has anyone noticed that variable geometry inlets are also out of style?

THE RAMPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"Who cares if it works? Does it look good on the ramp?"

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Yup....sure have. Dont miss dealing with them on the F-15. What a pain in the A$$.

"face it....perhaps your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others!"

I don't know about breaking for the other VG aircraft but from speaking to guys in the F14 Community, the wing box and the wing sweep mechanism was never an issue. It was the panel and wiring design that gave nightmares.

VG lives in Ordnance in todays world, Folding fin Rockets and Cruise missiles.
Variable Ramp Intakes are the achilles heal for RCS control. With the new Super Cruise engines and Internal Ramp Technologies. No Need for the External Variable Intake.

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see their near and dear bathed in tears, to ride their horses and sleep on the white bellies of their wives and daughters."
-Genghis Khan

_________________
\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton