Tailless aircraft

Tailless aircraft are aircraft, in which the horizontal aerodynamic surfaces ( wing, horizontal tail, canard ) are not arranged one behind the other. Usually they therefore have only one support surface, in some cases there are also configurations having two wings, which are then, however, designed as a double-deck (for example, Burgess Dunne AH -7).

Longitudinal stability

In conventional aircraft typically two horizontal aerodynamic surfaces are disposed one behind the other. In addition to the wing they have a tailplane. Ducks aircraft have a canard and tandem wing another wing. These aircraft configurations, the longitudinal stability is achieved through the interaction of these two surfaces. Since tailless aircraft with only one wing, this stability must be ensured by other means. There are various possibilities:

  • The focus is significantly lower than the aerodynamic pressure point. The stabilization is achieved by the large distance of the points of aerodynamic and gravitational forces, such as paragliding.
  • Swept wing with twist. Here, the outer wing ends to a smaller angle of incidence than the center portion of the wing. In combination with the wing sweep, so that the wing tips are located further back, a similar effect is achieved as with a separate elevator, for example, Horten H IV
  • Moment arms profiles, such as an S-shape profile produce almost no pitching moment, such as Helios because of their shape.
  • Active control of the longitudinal movement. Here assume regulator, now commonly flight control computer, the stabilization task and command the aerodynamic control surfaces so that a controllable level flight is achieved, for example, Northrop B-2.

Special cases of the tailless aircraft

  • A special case of tail-less flying wing aircraft, which consist only of a wing. You do not have hull still tail.
  • Another special model of the tailless aircraft is the delta wing. Here, the wing leading edge to a high sweep angle, while the trailing edge is nearly straight. This configuration is often found in supersonic aircraft, such as Concorde or in military aviation.

Known tailless aircraft

  • Lippisch deltas
  • Messerschmitt Me 163
  • De Havilland D.H.108
  • Dassault Mirage
  • Convair F2Y
  • Convair F -102
  • Convair F -106
  • Avro Vulcan
  • Concorde
  • Lockheed SR-71
  • Northrop B-2
  • AeroVironment Pathfinder
  • SB 13
  • Paraglider
Canard (aeronautics) Biplane Angle of attack Alexander Lippisch De Havilland DH 108 Mirage (aircraft) Convair F-102 Delta Dagger Convair F-106 Delta Dart Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
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