swing-wing

[ swing-wing ]

adjective

1. (of an airplane) having wings whose horizontal angle to the fuselage centerline can be adjusted fore and aft to optimize aerodynamic performance at widely differing speeds.

swing-wing

adjective

1. of or relating to a variable-geometry aircraft

noun

1. 1. such an aircraft
   2. either wing of such an aircraft

Word History and Origins

Origin of swing-wing¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The Tu-22 is a Cold War-era, swing-wing supersonic bomber, codenamed "Backfire" by Nato, which has been used extensively in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

From BBC

The two Su-24 swing-wing bombers took off and banked northeast, heading for Aleppo.

From Washington Post

The Air Force is also considering a stretched version of the General Dynamics FB-111, a swing-wing bomber that can fly at twice the speed of sound and would cost approximately half as much as the B1.

From Time Magazine Archive

The MiG-23, for example, has the "swing-wing" look of the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

But swing-wing planes are difficult to build.

From Time Magazine Archive