Supersonic aircraft and method

A method of operating a supersonic aircraft, said method comprising:

• a. providing said aircraft with an airfoil having an upper surface and a highly swept subsonic leading edge portion which is arranged to develop at high angles of attack separated flow that develops into a vortex that travels over the upper surface of the airfoil;
• b. providing at an outer surface of said leading edge portion a boundary layer control suction strip means extending along said leading edge portion;
• c. maintaining said suction means during a high angle of attack mode of operation in an inoperative mode or at low power settings to enhance separated air flow so as to enhance development of said vortex in a manner to provide adequate lift during one of said take-off mode, initial climb mode and take-off and initial climb;
• d. operating said suction means after take-off and initial climb of the aircraft to decrease drag, and reducing thrust of the aircraft to alleviate noise, and yet maintain proper flight of said aircraft.
• e. said suction strip means eliminating the need for mechanical high lift leading edge devices.

A supersonic aircraft comprising:

• a. an airfoil having an upper surface and a highly swept subsonic leading edge portion which is arranged to develop at high angles of attack separated flow that develops into a vortex that travels over the upper surface of the airfoil;
• b. said leading edge portion having an outer surface and having at said outer surface a boundary layer control suction strip means extending along said leading edge portion;
• c. suction means to draw in outside air through said suction strip means;
• d. said suction means and said suction strip means being positioned, configured and arranged in a manner that operation of said suction means to draw in said outside air through said suction strip means alleviates separated air flow so as to alleviate developing of said vortex;
• and
• e. laminar flow control suction strip means located on a surface area of said airfoil, said suction means being arranged to draw in outside air also through said laminar flow control suction strip means, said laminar flow control suction strip means being located adjacent to and rearwardly of said boundary layer control suction strip means.

A supersonic aircraft comprising:

• a. an airfoil having an upper surface and a highly swept subsonic leading edge portion which is arranged to develop at high angles of attack separated flow that develops into a vortex that travels over the upper surface of the airfoil;
• b. said leading edge portion having an outer surface and having at said outer surface a boundary layer control suction strip means extending along said leading edge portion;
• c. suction means to draw in outside air through said suction strip means;
• d. said suction means and said suction strip means being positioned, configured and arranged in a manner that operation of said suction means to draw in said outside air through said suction strip means alleviates separated air flow so as to alleviate developing of said vortex;
• and
• e. transpiration anti-icing strip means positioned adjacent to said boundary layer control suction strip means in a manner that anti-icing air blown outwardly through said transpiration anti-icing strip means blows over at least said boundary layer control suction strip means for anti-icing thereof.