What Happened
Experimental Design Aims To Reduce Drag And Fuel Burn
NASA has successfully completed the first flight of its Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing, a new concept designed to reduce drag and fuel burn on future airliners. The test, conducted at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, used an F-15B research jet as a flying testbed and demonstrated the ability to fly safely and predictably with the test article installed. The goal of the project is to achieve laminar flow, a smooth and orderly airflow that can lower fuel burn, and the early results show promise. The test was reported by AeroTime.