swing-wing

American  

[swing-wing] / ˈswɪŋˌwɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of an airplane) having wings whose horizontal angle to the fuselage centerline can be adjusted fore and aft to optimize aerodynamic performance at widely differing speeds.

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swing-wing British  

adjective

1. of or relating to a variable-geometry aircraft

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noun

1. 1. such an aircraft

   2. either wing of such an aircraft

Etymology

Origin of swing-wing

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

swing-wing

They are vital to the electronic systems of the Minuteman II and Polaris missiles, the Navy A-7A attack bomber and the supersonic, swing-wing F-111A.

From Time Magazine Archive

In military aviation, the star of the show was General Dynamics' swing-wing F-lll fighter, flown from the U.S. and shown for the first time abroad.

From Time Magazine Archive

This bizarre "antisymmetrical" configuration, Jones contends, is superior to the familiar swing-wing design of, say, the Air Force F-l I I or the Navy F14, or the fixed-wing design of the British-French Concorde.

From Time Magazine Archive

The official explanation for the latest snag was continuing trouble with the Boeing Co.'s design for its swing-wing B-2707.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Russians also showed off a new swing-wing fighter, similar in design to the controversial U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive