Area Ruling
Area ruling is a design technique used in the field of aerospace engineering to reduce an aircraft's drag at transonic and supersonic speeds. The concept was first introduced by Richard T. Whitcomb of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in the 1950s. The principle behind area ruling is to shape an aircraft such that the cross-sectional area changes smoothly along the length of the aircraft, rather than having abrupt changes. This is achieved by narrowing the fuselage around the wing area to maintain a roughly constant cross-sectional area. The technique reduces the formation of shock waves, which are the primary cause of wave drag at high speeds. Area ruling has been used in the design of numerous aircraft, including the F-102 Delta Dagger and the Concorde.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Noise: In space and astronautical engineering, noise refers to any unwanted or disruptive sound that can interfere with the functioning of equipment or the health and safety of astronauts. Noise can come from a variety of sources, including engine ... Read More >>
- Military Branch: Military Branch refers to a division of a country's armed forces that is responsible for a specific area of operation or function. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, Military Branch refers to the branch of a country's ar ... Read More >>
- Quality Metrics: Quality metrics are measurements used to evaluate the performance, reliability, and effectiveness of a space or astronautical system. These metrics are used to ensure that the system meets the required standards and specifications, and to i ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06