| This graphics shows the air intake design of the F-14 Tomcat. The idea behind this layout is, that
the airflow into the engine has to be undisturbed and at subsonic speed even if the aircraft is flying
at supersonic speeds! Early demonstrations with the TF30 showed that this engine was extremely
sensitive to inlet imperfections. Therefore a number of ramps are placed inside the air intake
and are moved by actuators to divert the airflow as desired. Also, shockwaves (snake lines) do
not occur inside the airinlet due to the design. |
