NASA Langley laminar flow control airfoil experiment

The design and construction of an advanced swept supercritical airfoil for commercial aircraft to be tested in a transonic wind tunnel is described. The swept LFC airfoil was designed for a given thickness ratio and lift coefficient, with emphasis placed on high critical Mach number with shock-free flow. It is compatible with satisfactory low speed and buffeting characteristics and minimizing the suction laminarization. Further emphasis was placed on achieving shock-free flow over a wide range of off-design conditions including trailing edge flap control. The requirements and design of the suction system and modifications to the Langley 8 foot transonic pressure tunnel is briefly described. Contouring of nonporous test section walls for free air simulation and flow quality improvements is included.