SWEPTWING Meaning and
Definition
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Sweptwing refers to a specific design characteristic typically found in aircraft, where the aircraft's wings are angled backward or swept rearward from its root or fuselage. This sleek design feature first gained prominence in the mid-20th century and is primarily aimed at enhancing an aircraft's performance and stability.
By sweeping the wings back, the primary advantage is reducing the drag caused by air resistance and improving the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft. This reduction in drag allows the aircraft to achieve higher speeds, increased range, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced maneuverability.
Sweptwing configurations can vary in their degree of sweep, ranging from slight to significant angles depending on the desired characteristics and intended purpose of the aircraft. In addition to cruising efficiency, the sweptwing design can also enhance stability during high-speed flight, reducing the chances of encountering aerodynamic instability such as drag divergence, flutter, or buffeting.
The sweptwing design finds extensive application in various military and commercial aircraft like fighter jets, commercial airliners, and supersonic aircraft, where their high-speed performance requirements make the sweptwing configuration ideal. However, it is worth noting that the sweptwing design may also present challenges in low-speed flight, such as high stalling speeds and reduced lift at slow speeds. Overall, the sweptwing design is a quintessential feature in modern aircraft design, providing numerous benefits in terms of speed, efficiency, and stability.
Common Misspellings for SWEPTWING
- aweptwing
- zweptwing
- xweptwing
- dweptwing
- eweptwing
- wweptwing
- sqeptwing
- saeptwing
- sseptwing
- seeptwing
- s3eptwing
- s2eptwing
- swwptwing
- swsptwing
- swdptwing
- swrptwing
- sw4ptwing
- sw3ptwing
- sweotwing
Etymology of SWEPTWING
The word "sweptwing" is a compound word composed of two parts: "swept" and "wing".
The term "swept" in "sweptwing" refers to the shape of the wing on an aircraft. It describes the angle or inclination of the wing measured backward from its leading edge. A swept wing has a backward or rearward inclination, rather than being perpendicular to the fuselage. This wing design is frequently used in modern aircraft to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag.
The word "wing" refers to the airfoil-shaped structure attached to the sides of an aircraft that generates lift, allowing it to overcome gravity and fly.
Therefore, "sweptwing" combines these two elements to describe an aircraft with wings that have a swept or rearward inclination.
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