forward swept wing

forward swept wing

X-29 a forward swept aircraft.

A wing plan form in which the wings are swept forward (i.e., the tips of the wing are ahead of the roots, unlike in sweptback wings). This plan form enjoys the same advantages as a swept-back wing but requires a lesser sweep. The wing performs better at subsonic speeds and near transonic speeds than a swept-back wing. The wing shock wave is more highly swept, giving reduced shock strength and wave drag. This offers improved maneuverability.

An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved