Vortex lattice method

Summary

The vortex lattice method is a numerical method that computes the lift and induced drag of wings of almost any planform in incompressible potential flow. It covers the lifting surface with a grid of panels and puts a horseshoe vortex on each panel. The vortex strengths are chosen so that the flow does not cross the surface at one control point per panel. This turns the flow problem into a system of linear equations whose coefficients come from the Biot–Savart law. It extends lifting-line theory to swept and low aspect ratio wings, and it is still widely used in aircraft design.