Abstract: A control surface for an air vehicle (e.g., an aircraft, rocket, or missile) is useful for flight control at both subsonic and supersonic speeds. The control surface defines the outboardmost tip of a flight structure (e.g., a wing, tail or other stabilizer) of the air vehicle. Hence, the control surface is referred to as a ‘tiperon’. The tiperon has an approximately L-shaped configuration, and can be rotated relative to a fixed portion of the flight structure about a control axis. The respective surface areas of the tiperon sections forward and aft of the control axis are proportioned to place the subsonic center of pressure aft of the control axis to enhance aircraft control, and preferably also forward of the centroid of tiperon surface area. Also, the control surface sections forward and aft of the control axis are preferably mass-balanced, or at least nearly so, to enhance aircraft control at supersonic speeds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for impingement on the sonic wave produced by a supersonic gas flow and the gas flow in a boundary layer of a gas that interfaces with a solid substrate comprising providing a source of a mixture of ions and electrons, introducing said ions and electrons into the region behind the sonic wave and ahead of the boundary layer, separating said ions and said electrons in said region maintaining a substantial portion of said ions proximate said region and maintaining a substantial portion of said electrons remote from said region.