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
The SR-71’s fuselage chines (the knife shaped edge) produce something like 20% of the aircraft’s lift at cruising speed. Supersonic aerodynamics are not very intuitive.
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