The Science Behind the F-16’s Engine Inlet Design

At first glance, the F-16’s engine inlet might appear as nothing more than a hollow beginning to the combustive process, but to the discerning eye, it represents a marvel of design. The inlet isn’t just about letting air in; it’s about choreographing the breath of a jet engine, moderating its gasp from gentle airflow at cruising speeds to the raging inhalations required at the sharp edge of supersonic…