This paper examines the changing role aerodynamictechnology plays in the design and development ofmodern combat aircraft. It reviews several aspectsof aerodynamics which contribute to aircraftperformance and handling characteristics. Itconsiders the importance of a range of technologies,the contribution each makes to the final integratedsolution and comments on the compromises necessarythrough the design cycle to optimise the overallweapon system, sometimes to the cost of one of thecomponent technologies. The technologies discussedare in no way exhaustive but attempt to encapsulatethe breadth of the subject, to illustrate itsdiversity and to point the way for the futuredevelopment if aerodynamic technology is to continueto make an important contribution to the design ofcombat aircraft.

Each of the component technologies are discussed interms of the contribution it makes, the tools andtechniques used to predict, analyse and interpretthe technology contribution, and the requirementsfor the direction of the development of thetechnology for the future.

Before considering the technologies themselves it isimportant to understand the environment in whichthey will be used, which increasingly conditions themanner in which they are employed and suggests thedirection for their development.

This paper begins, therefore, by briefly reviewing thechanges to the environment in which the fighterpilot operates and the manner by which hisrequirements, and therefore the specification of theaircraft, are defined before going on to look at theoverall contribution each technology makes in thedesign process.