In the variable geometry of the wing configuration of an F-14 Tomcat, when the wings are in delta formation...

Question

. . . is that for maneuverability. . . or is it for speed?

Answer 1

Tuck em in and go.

Answer 2

Its to remind the pilot not to wear flares. (He got such a ribbing, last time!)

Answer 3

It is a requirement for control at trans-sonic speeds. It can be so configured at lesser speeds but reduces maneuverability.

Answer 4

Don't forget the "cool-looking" factor!  heh, just kidding--yeah, speed--the wind hits the wings at less angle, and drag is reduced.... result = speed

I figure that hitting the "trans-sonic" speeds would rip the open wing configuration apart, or in the very least force the plane to consume a much greater amount of fuel to advance...

Who knows; maybe the washington gurus simply sat down one day and said, "Is it going to be cheaper to make the wings adjustable, or make bigger fuel tanks?"

Answer 5

TD Euwaite has all the cool stories.  I was on a submarine......boring.

Answer 6

Speed - not maneuverability.

Answer 7

Typically, a swept wing is more suitable for high speeds, while an unswept wing is suitable for lower speeds (such as when taking off and landing). A swing-wing allows a pilot to select the correct wing configuration for the plane's intended speed. The swing-wing is most useful for those aircraft that are expected to function at both low and high speed, and for this reason it has been used primarily in military aircraft.

The added mass and complexity required to design a plane with a swing-wing somewhat offset the benefits. As a result, swing-wings have not seen widespread adoption.

Answer 8

When I had breakfast this morning, I discussed the very same problem with my girlfriend. Coincidence?

Answer 9

The only way to get off of the frigate was to have a toothache because the dentist was on the aircraft carrier. They winched me up to a LAMPS bird and we flew around the battle group for a while then landed on the Ranger. I spent a week watching flight ops with F-14s and A-3s...one of the coolest things I ever saw, up close and personal. 1980.

Answer 10

It's what a pilot does when he wants to look cool for the chicks.

It's a good idea fold 'em back when you're in 'Oh, sh*t' mode, too.

Answer 11

Speed, pure speed.

The planform changes for reduced drag (and a host of other things too), so greater speed.

The F-14 is least maneuverable in the swept back position.

Answer 12

Its for speed, forward swept wing generates huge amount of lift needed during takeoff and landing where less speed is required    but during supersonic flights it would create problems thats why they are swept back, similar russian fighters such as MiG-23 and Su-17 doesnt have automatic "swing wings" like that of the Tomcat and its manually adjusted by the pilot where in in Tomcat, the wings swept forward and backward in accordance to its speed.

In the battle of swing wings, Tomcat destroyed both Libyan MiG-23's and Su-22 during the 80's.