The F-15 can fly supersonic, but its engine compressor needs subsonic airflow. Watch its intake change shape, then follow the fixed cowl pivot, linked ramps, hydraulic actuators and bypass door.
The ramps create compression shocks that slow and compress incoming air. A controller adjusts inlet geometry as flight conditions change.
This original explanation uses normalized geometry, schematic flow and retimed motion. Linkage proportions and hydraulic routing are simplified; this is not a manufacturing drawing, control schedule or flight-performance simulation. The opening flight shot is synthetically generated and illustrative.
Sources:
NASA — F-15 inlet geometry and control, PDF pages 4–5:
NASA — inlet principles:
NASA — F-15 three-view reference, PDF page 19:
Exterior model: Innerscene, F-15 Eagle, CC0, modified for this illustration:
Music: Industrial Cinematic — Kevin MacLeod, CC BY 3.0: Source: Edited excerpt.
#Engineering #F15 #Aviation
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