What is a major con of low aspect ratio wings?

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Low aspect ratio wings, which have a shorter span relative to their chord length, are characterized by their compact design. One significant downside to these wings is that they generate more induced drag. Induced drag occurs as a byproduct of lift—the greater the lift generated by a wing, the more induced drag it will create, particularly at lower speeds or during takeoff and landing.

Wings with a low aspect ratio tend to operate less efficiently at generating lift compared to high aspect ratio wings, which means they struggle more with induced drag when trying to maintain lift. This increased induced drag affects overall performance by requiring more power from the aircraft’s engines to maintain flight, which can lead to higher fuel consumption and reduced efficiency.

While low aspect ratio wings do have some advantages, such as improved maneuverability and structural robustness, the trade-off is the increased induced drag, making this the major con associated with such wing designs.

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