Editing Delta wing (section)

{{short description|Triangle shaped aircraft wing configuration}}
{{about|the wing shape|the racing car|DeltaWing}}
[[File:Mirage 2000 taking off.jpg|thumb|The [[Dassault Mirage 2000]] is among the most successful delta-winged fighter jets, being used by many countries to this day.]]
A '''delta wing''' is a [[wing]] shaped in the form of a triangle. It is named for its similarity in shape to the Greek uppercase letter [[delta (letter)|delta]] (Δ).

Although long studied, the delta wing did not find significant practical applications until the [[Jet Age]], when it proved suitable for high-speed [[Subsonic aircraft|subsonic]] and&nbsp;[[supersonic]] flight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lauten, Jr. |first=William T. |last2=Mitcham |first2=Grady L. |date=1951-05-14 |title=NOTE ON FLUTTER OF A 600 DELTA WING ENCOUNTERED AT LOW-SUPERSONIC SPEEDS DURING THE FLIGHT OF A ROCKET-PROPELLED MODEL |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930086580/downloads/19930086580.pdf |website=ntrs.nasa.gov}}</ref> At the other end of the speed scale, the [[Rogallo wing|Rogallo flexible wing]] proved a practical design for the [[hang glider]] and other [[ultralight aircraft]]. The delta wing form has unique aerodynamic characteristics and structural advantages. Many design variations have evolved over the years, with and without additional stabilising surfaces.