Leading-edge force features of the aerodynamic finite element method.

Description of a practical procedure for computing the wing leading-edge thrust distribution by the finite element method. When incorporated into a wing-body aerodynamic computer program, the technique is capable of predicting (at subsonic and supersonic speeds) the leading-edge thrust distribution (and therefore, the lateral-directional stability derivatives due to roll) and the nonlinear aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect-ratio wings with leading edge separation due to the application of suction technology.