This research aircraft was the first airplane to demonstrate the transonic performance capabilities of a supercritical wing. Research by Richard T. Whitcomb at NASA Langley Research Center led to the invention and patent of the NASA supercritical airfoil, which delayed the formation and reduced the strength of shock waves over wings in the transonic realm just below and just above the speed of sound. By reducing drag, it produced higher cruising speed, improved fuel efficiency, and greater range capability. The aircraft demonstrated a drag-rise Mach number of 0.96 at cruise lifting conditions, and research showed that the wing increased the transonic efficiency of the F-8 by as much as 15 percent. The resulting technology base permitted an increase in cruise Mach number for transport aircraft from approximately 0.8 to above 0.9. Combined with winglets, another NASA development, commercial airliners experienced efficiency improvements of approximately 6 percent. Rockwell International built the new composite wing for NASA, and because the modified F-8 lacked antiskid brakes or wing flaps, it could not land on Langley's runway and was flown only at Edwards. Wings of this type are now routinely used on all new military and commercial transport aircraft, and supercritical wings have become commonplace on virtually every modern subsonic commercial transport, military jet, and new helicopter rotor. Tom C. Mcmurtry piloted the aircraft.