U.S. Air Force goes vortex surfing to cut fuel consumption
« Back to Article
Tw0 C-17 cargo planes used in the $AVE vortex surfing tests (Image: US Air Force)
Airplane creating vortices made visible by colored smoke (Image: NASA Langley Research Center )
C-17 generating vortices in smoke trails of flares (Image: US Air Force/Tech. Sergeant Russell E. Cooley IV)
Migrating geese use vortex surfing (Image: John Benson)
US Navy FA-18C creating vortices at the wingtips (Image: US Navy)
Cyclists drafting (Image: Airman Nathan Doza)
NASCAR racers drafting (Image: US Air Force/ Larry McTighe)
Even spiny lobsters exploit vortex surfing (Image: Langosta Espinosa)
Article Summary
The United States Air Force is taking flying lessons from geese and spiny lobsters. This may seem like the mother of all bureaucratic errors, but there’s actually some pretty solid science behind it. In exploiting a phenomenon known as “vortex surfing,” the USAF has found that by having C-17 cargo planes flying in formation, it can reduce fuel consumption by up to ten percent.
« Back to U.S. Air Force goes vortex surfing to cut fuel consumption
Other Images from this Gallery
Related Articles
-
Minix wing tip device promises 6% gain in fuel efficiency for airliners
24th June, 2010
-
Vortex gun blows rings of high-speed electrified gas – could have numerous applications
5th March, 2012
-
Airbus unveils its "Smarter Skies" vision for the future of sustainable aviation
9th September, 2012
-
Global Hawk UAVs fly in close formation as part of aerial refueling program
8th October, 2012
-
The incredible Superplexus Vortex puzzle
19th February, 2010
-
Unique hydro energy system harnesses slow water currents
25th November, 2008
