The lift-to-drag ratio is a measure of the aerodynamic efficiency of a lifting body. It is defined as the ratio of the lift force to the drag force acting on the body. The higher the lift-to-drag ratio, the less drag the body experiences for a given amount of lift. For inviscid supersonic or hypersonic flow over a flat plate, the lift-to-drag ratio can be derived from the pressure distribution on the upper and lower surfaces of the plate.
- Lift to drag ratio (L/D)
- Angle of attack (𝛼) in rad