F-16XL-2 supersonic laminar flow control flight test experiment

This technical report, published by the National Technical Information Service in 1999, documents the experimental flight testing of the F-16XL-2. The F-16XL program itself emerged from an earlier initiative to explore cranked-arrow delta wing configurations, aiming to improve range and payload capacity over the standard F-16. This specific document focuses on the Supersonic Laminar Flow Control experiment, a NASA-led effort to reduce aerodynamic drag by maintaining laminar flow over the wing surface at supersonic speeds.

Author Scott G. Anders compiled this report to summarize the data and observations gathered during the project's flight envelope. The research was part of a broader push to advance aeronautical efficiency for high-speed flight. As an official NASA technical publication, the document is framed for engineers and researchers, detailing the methodology, instrumentation, and results of the testing. It remains a key reference for understanding the challenges of laminar flow in a supersonic regime.