NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) Project Tests Model Wing on F-15

An F-15 aircraft flies above the world’s largest compass rose above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, April 20, 2026. NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article is attached to the bottom of the F-15. The project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

An F-15 aircraft flies above the world’s largest compass rose above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, April 20, 2026. NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article is attached to the bottom of the F-15. The project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

Photographer NASA/Jim Ross
Location AFRC
NASA s Armstrong Flight Research CenterAFRCaeronauticsNASA aircraftF-15CATNLFCaliforniapilotengineerflight testtest pilotphotographerresearcher