Induced drag tends to be greater at lower speeds because a high angle of attack is required to maintain lift, creating more drag. However, as speed increases the induced drag becomes much less, but parasitic drag increases because the air is flowing faster around protruding objects increasing friction.
Most bombers are victims of large induced drag, because they are designed to be "heavy" and often fly at relatively low speed which makes requirement for greater angle of attack to get enough lift. Fast fighters have more problems with parasite drag than with induced one as at high speeds induced drag makes only small part of total drag. The other thing is climbing: larger mass isn't good for it.
|