I have noticed this on several aircraft like the SR-71 as well. It appears, based only on initial looks, that the center of gravity on aircraft like these is farther forward than the center of lift. The wing is almost completely behind the center of the aircraft. So what is balancing the aircraft?
I made some guesses at the reasoning but they are purely guesses:
1- The supersonic nature of the aircraft have something to do with it since it doesn’t seem subsonic aircraft use designs like these.
2- I am vaguely aware there is a concept that the cross-section of supersonic aircraft should be a consistent area throughout the aircraft. I’m not sure if this is part of it or not
3- Maybe it’s just as simple as the heavy engines are in the back?
In: Engineering
I happen to have an original copy of “Concorde 001 Flying Qualities Tests” from 1973.
Numerous tests were made and described, including all speed, altitude, and maneuvering ranges (climb, descent, level, accelerating, decelerating, turning, …)
It’s way too much to summarize, but some things stand out.
– Fuel movement is used to adjust center of mass in flight.
– Pitch moments during acceleration and deceleration vary a lot depending on altitude, even varying from positive to negative.
– The aircraft is equipped with automatic trim capability, but pilots describe the aircraft as well behaved with it turned off. Low stick loads.
– Several pitch moment “discontinuities” were found accelerating through transonic speeds.
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