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RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE
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Two General Dynamics F-16XL aircraft were built to explore the ability of supersonic cruise without the use of an afterburner combined with acceptable maneuverability, takeoff and landing characteristics. The unique "crank-arrow" wing of the General Dynamics F-16XL allowed for low supersonic wave drag plus excellent handling throughout the performance range of the aircraft.
The wings of the F-16 were replaced by the crank-arrow design with approximately 20% more total area than that of the standard aircraft.
Space-age light weight building materials helped keep the weight down, although the General Dynamics F-16XL is nearly 3,000 lbs. heavier than the standard F-16.
Other modifications of the General Dynamics F-16XL included a 4.6 foot addition to the fuselage, removal of the ventral fins to improve ground clearance, and three degrees of positive incidence added to the tail section. Fuel load is up over 80%, maximum payload is nearly doubled and range is improved by 40%. A total of 27 hardpoints are on the new General Dynamics F-16XL aircraft.
The General Dynamics F-16XL has 11% less drag during sub-sonic flight and 25% less drag in supersonic flight than the standard F-16. Low altitude flight at high speeds is much smoother.
NASA has been using General Dynamics F-16XL aircraft to test the boundary layer pressures, distribution and improving laminar air flow while flying at supersonic speeds. The aircraft are equipped with strips of tubing along the wing edges for pressure test measurements.
Although the General Dynamics F-16XL was successful design, the USAF opted for the more standard design of the F-16 Strike Eagle to save expenses.
