F-16XL Supersonic Laminar Flow Control

The Supersonic Laminar Flow Control program demonstrated that laminar or smooth airflow could be achieved over a major portion of a wing at supersonic speeds by use of a suction system. The system drew turbulent boundary-layer air through millions of tiny laser-drilled holes in a titanium glove fitted to the upper left wing. About 90 hours of flight time were logged by the unique aircraft during the 13-month flight research program, much of it at speeds of Mach 2 with F-16XL ship 2 in 1996. #f16xl #laminarairflow #nasa #boneyardsafari #aviationsafari