Oblique wing

This is a variation on the classic swing-wing design, intended to simplify construction and retain the center of gravity as the sweep angle is changed.

[3] The oblique wing concept was resurrected by Robert T. Jones in the 1950s,[4] an aeronautical engineer at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California.

[5] Known as the NASA Oblique Wing, the project pointed out a craft's unpleasant characteristics at large sweep angles.

As the aircraft gained speed, the wing would be pivoted to increase the oblique angle, thereby reducing the drag due to wetted area, and decreasing fuel consumption.

Alternatively, at Mach numbers increasing towards the speed of sound and beyond, wave drag dominates design concerns.

At high speeds, both subsonic and supersonic, an oblique wing would be pivoted at up to 60 degrees to the aircraft's fuselage for better high-speed performance.

The studies showed these angles would decrease aerodynamic drag, permitting increased speed and longer range with the same fuel expenditure.

Robert T. Jones theorised that an oblique flying wing could drastically improve commercial air transportation, reducing fuel costs and noise in the vicinity of airports.

The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Northrop Grumman a $10.3 million (USD) contract for risk reduction and preliminary planning for an X-plane OFW demonstrator,[8] known as the Switchblade.

The program aimed at producing a technology demonstrator aircraft to explore the various challenges which the radical design entails.