Aircraft with Variable‐Sweep Wings: A Discussion Outlining the Advantages and Disadvantages of Variable‐Sweep Aircraft and the Principal Features of Three Possible Types: a Trainer, a Strike Fighter and a Supersonic Transport

The development of variable geometry in general is traced as applied to aircraft wings with particular emphasis on variable sweepback, including discussion of some experimental aircraft. The characteristics of swept wings illustrate the reason for variable sweep in some advanced aircraft and a comparison made with jet lift. Some of the implications and problems involved in variable sweep design are discussed in detail and some observations made on the weight aspect. To illustrate the discussion, three sketch designs of aircraft with variable sweep are presented.