Question

Let’s consider we need to design supersonic aircraft then, which type of airfoil should be adopted?

(a) Supersonic airfoil

(b) Symmetric airfoil

(c) Bluff shape

(d) Thicker airfoil

I got this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

The doubt is from Airfoil Selection-3 topic in section Airfoil and Geometry Selection of Aircraft Design

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) Supersonic airfoil

For explanation: Supersonic aircraft needs to fly at much higher speed. Hence, supersonic airfoils are used to provide required velocity. Thicker airfoils cannot generate required amount of flow characteristics such as critical mach number.