Swing Wings: Yea or Neah?

The swing wing mechanism adds ALOT of weight, the smaller the airframe the
larger the percentage weight gain. On both F14s and F111s the tradeoff to
optimum performance was considered acceptable in order to acheive both good
high speed performance (usually requiring a small wing) and good low speed
landing performance (large wing). B-1s made the same design choice for the
same reason. Fighters generally are optimised for maximum performance and
minimum weight and therefore can not justify carrying the extra weight of a
swing wing just to gain a lower landing approach speed.


"BOB URZ" wrote in message
...
Why have most newer fighter designs not used swing wings?
It seems in the US, the F14 and F111 were the last to go with
swing wings. It seems the major reasons for using them is having the
best of both worlds in wing loading at both low and high speeds.

Why have the newer designs avoided them? Maintenance?
Weight? Cost?

Also, most newer fighter designs use twin tails canted out from
perpendicular. Is there a reason this is better than straight
dual perpendicular tails?


Bob




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