What is one main disadvantage of swept wings?

Swept wings are primarily designed to delay the onset of shock waves and control drag at higher speeds, making them particularly efficient at transonic and supersonic flight. However, one of the main disadvantages of swept wings is that they can become less aerodynamically efficient at lower speeds.

When an aircraft with swept wings operates at lower speeds, the airflow does not benefit from the advantages these wings provide at high speeds. Instead, swept wings can produce higher induced drag during low-speed flight compared to straight wings. This phenomenon occurs because the angle of attack must be increased to maintain lift, leading to an increase in drag. Therefore, while swept wings confer benefits at higher speeds, their design does not translate efficiently during lower-speed operations. This is a key consideration for aircraft design, especially for those that frequently operate in low-speed conditions.