NASA Flies New Laminar-Flow Wing Concept on F-15 Testbed

1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1770951660147-2623

NASA Tests Innovative Wing Design for Cleaner Flight

NASA has completed the first flight of its Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing on an F-15B research jet at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The test aimed to prove the aircraft could fly safely and predictably with the test article installed. According to AeroTime, Michelle Banchy, the research principal investigator for the project, said the first flight was primarily focused on envelope expansion. NASA plans up to 15 flights in the CATNLF series, testing the wing across a range of speeds, altitudes, and flight conditions.

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Key Takeaways

NASA tested a new laminar-flow wing concept.
The CATNLF article is a 40-inch-scale model mounted under the F-15’s belly.
The first flight lasted about 75 minutes.
The team ran basic maneuvers, including turns and steady holds.
Airflow over the article closely matched computer models’ predictions.

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Strategic Implications

This test may indicate NASA’s focus on reducing drag and fuel burn in future airliners. The success of the CATNLF design could suggest a new path forward for aircraft designers seeking to achieve laminar flow.