Testing
In initial testing there were significant problems with the porous materials and surface slots getting plugged with debris, bugs, even rain. In certain conditions, ice crystals would form due to the rapid cooling of air over those laminar surfaces abruptly disrupting laminar flow, causing rapid melting and rapid transition back to turbulent flow. Maximum achievement of 95 percent laminar flow over those areas was desired. However, the design effort was canceled due to the plugging problems.
Nevertheless, pioneering data was obtained in the X-21 flight program, including the effects of surface irregularities, boundary-layer turbulence induced by three-dimensional span-wise flow effects in the boundary layer (referred to as span-wise contamination) and degrading environmental effects such as ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Read more about this topic: Northrop X-21
Famous quotes containing the word testing:
“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
—Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
“Now I see that going out into the testing ground of men it is the tongue and not the deed that wins the day.”
—Sophocles (497–406/5 B.C.)
“Is this testing whether I’m a replicant or a lesbian, Mr. Deckard?”
—David Webb Peoples, U.S. screenwriter, and Ridley Scott. Rachel, Blade Runner, being tested to determine if she is human or machine (1982)