deltawing

Deltawing, or delta wing, refers to a triangular wing planform used on a variety of aircraft. The wing’s leading edge forms a sharp angle, creating a triangle when viewed from above. Delta wings are typically of low aspect ratio and can be relatively thick, which provides structural stiffness and internal space for fuel and systems.

Aerodynamically, delta wings generate strong lift at high speeds and can maintain lift at high angles of attack due to leading-edge vortices. This makes them well suited for supersonic flight and for tailless aircraft configurations. Variants include cropped deltas, where the trailing edge is shortened, and ogival deltas, which use a curved leading edge to improve flow. While advantageous at high speed, delta wings often exhibit higher drag at subsonic speeds and can have poorer low-speed handling, requiring careful design to manage stall behavior and takeoff/landing performance.

History and usage span military and aerospace contexts. Early research and some operational examples emerged in the mid-20th century, with delta shapes appearing in fighters and missiles. Notable aircraft include the Dassault Mirage III and Saab 37 Viggen, both employing delta or near-delta configurations. The Concorde used an ogival delta wing, optimized for sustained supersonic cruise. Delta wings have influenced many modern high-speed and tailless concepts, though many contemporary fighters blend delta elements with canards or other planforms to balance performance across speeds.

Deltawing is also a name associated with an experimental vehicle, notably a 2012 Le Mans prototype that applied delta-inspired aerodynamics to pursue reduced drag and innovative efficiency in endurance racing.