On Thu, 01 Jan 2004 09:53:39 GMT, Scott Ferrin
wrote:

I didn't know that the main criteria for selecting any piece of military
hardware was that it had to look good.

Not especially but the saying "if it looks good it'll fly good" didn't
come about for nothing.

Well, you have to remember that C_D_U, the coefficient of drag due to
ugliness, is a factor in how well aircraft fly. The A-10 has a C_D_U
of about 278, which the latest gliders have one of about 14.

Mary

--
Mary Shafer Retired aerospace research engineer