Strake (aeronautics)

In aviation, a strake is an aerodynamic surface generally mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft to improve the flight characteristics either by controlling the airflow (acting as large vortex generators) or by a simple stabilising effect.

[1] Double delta wing aircraft (Concorde, Tupolev Tu-144, Boeing 2707 and Lockheed L-2000 SST projects) featured a forward extended leading edge that may be considered as a wing strake; it provides the same additional vortex lift at high angle of attack by leading edge suction.

One or two ventral strakes are sometimes positioned under the fuselage, as large vortex generators, to provide a better tail surfaces efficiency.

Shortly after the WWII introduction of the D variant of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter, with its bubble canopy for improved pilot visibility, a dorsal fillet or strake was added to the front of the vertical stabilizer fin in order to strengthen the tail empennage and to improve lateral stability in the yaw axis.

As most such munitions were manufactured with only tail-mounted stabilizer fins, the addition of longitudinal strakes proves a much cleaner flow of air around the weapon during its glide, reducing the tendency to yaw and improving terminal accuracy.