What happens when an F-16 breaks the sound barrier?
Experience the physics of supersonic flight through the eyes of a passenger. This video follows a flight with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, exploring the complex aerodynamics and intense forces experienced during high-performance maneuvers.
Filmed on May 3, 2019, in Biloxi, Mississippi, the footage captures the precision of the Thunderbirds as they demonstrate the capabilities of the F-16. The exploration goes beyond the cockpit, delving into the science of flight through discussions on pitot tubes, fuel burn rates, and the Prandtl-Glauert singularity.
The journey involves insights from aerodynamicists at the Air Force Research Lab at Wright Patterson AFB, providing a deeper look at the complex phenomena that occur when aircraft transition to supersonic speeds.
Source: GOING SUPERSONIC with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds! Pulling 7 G's in an F-16 -Smarter Every Day 235
