Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Test on Joined Wing and Monoplane Configurations. Volume 1. Analysis of Results.

The joined wing is a new airplane and missile configuration comprising two wings, a fuselage, and a fin, such that the wings form diamond shapes both in plan view and front view. Advantages claimed for the joined wing include lightness, stiffness, low induced drag, low wave drag and high trimmed maximum lift coefficient. Comparative low-speed wind tunnel tests were performed on joined wing and conventional wing configurations having similar areas and spans. The effect of adding canard surfaces to the joined wing was investigated. The joined wing developed less induced drag than the comparable conventional wing, gave a higher maximum trimmed lift coefficient, and showed generally good stability and control characteristics, except for low directional stability. Favorable canard/joined wing interactions were found, yielding further increases in maximum lift coefficient. Volume I analyses the test data which are presented in Volume II.