[Propstriker]

You also have to remember, aerodynamics change going from subsonic, transonic to supersonic.

Bernoulis Principle works well when a wing is Subsonic, these aerodynamics are pretty straight foward and easy to understand. Bernoulis Principle creates major problems the faster we go....

A Straight wing Can't go Transonic due to the shock wave and Wave Drag that will be created by the leading edge, Therefore, loss of efficency. It was found that sweeping a wing, results in airflow traveling a greater distance from leading edge to trailing edge, and thus the air pressure is distributed over a greater distance. In other words, As the speed increases toward transonic, aft sweep is required to have a subsonic leading edge.

At Supersonic Speeds, aerodynamics change again, and create shockwaves that have to be controled by the shape of the leading edge, thickness, sweep of the wing and shape of the fuselage. The placement of the shockwave has to be controled, and the airflow after the shockwave is actually traveling at subsonic speeds to create lift. As Overtemp points out, the airfoil and aircraft shape can cause problems, He calls it local sonic flow....I believe the term is compressability, which is the effect that acts on the wing as it approaches and passes through the speed of sound and the airflow over the top of the wing is allowed to go supersonic.


Keith, are'nt you glad you asked the question?, there really is no "Simple" answer due to the complex changes in aerodynamics for a given speed. And yes, every configuration is a compromise...thats why slats, flaps, slots, vortex generators, and swing wings are used, the plane can go fast as hell, but slow it down and the wing wont produce lift at landing speeds.