NASA Successfully Tests Drag-Reducing Laminar-Flow Wing in Flight

NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow scale-model wing flies for the first time on a NASA F-15

NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow scale-model wing flies for the first time on a NASA F-15 NASA has successfully flown its 40-inch CATNLF laminar-flow wing model aboard an F-15B aircraft in January 2026. The test confirmed the drag-reducing design performs safely in flight. By maintaining smooth airflow over wings, the technology could improve fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent, lowering airline costs and reducing carbon emissions significantly.