Definition
A wing planform shaped like a triangle, with a sharply swept-back leading edge and a straight trailing edge running roughly perpendicular to the fuselage. The shape produces low drag at high speeds and remains controllable at very high angles of attack, but generally has a higher landing speed and reduced low-speed lift compared to conventional wings.
Plain English
A triangle-shaped wing. The front edges sweep back sharply and meet the body at a point, while the back edge runs straight across. It works well at high speeds but needs a faster landing approach.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft design, aircraft recognition, and discussions of how high-speed or military aircraft handle.
Derivation
Named after the Greek letter delta (Δ), which is shaped like a triangle. The wing's outline matches that shape when viewed from above, so engineers borrowed the name directly from the letter.
Why Pilots Care
Delta-wing aircraft handle differently from conventional designs. They tend to need higher approach and landing speeds, and they bleed off energy quickly in tight turns. Pilots transitioning to delta-wing types need to adjust their sight picture and speed management.
Analogy
Picture a flat triangle attached to the sides of an airplane, with the broad part at the airplane and the pointier parts reaching outward.
Intuition Check
Delta here does not mean Delta Air Lines, the radio word for the letter D, or Class D airspace. It means the triangular shape of the wing.
Example Sentence 1
The Concorde's delta wing allowed it to cruise efficiently at supersonic speeds.
Example Sentence 2
On final approach the delta wing aircraft required a higher landing speed than conventional designs.