Ness ziona
12-10-2003, 00:38
__________________________________________
Grumann X-29A FSW
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa2d-st.jpg
The X-29 was built to explore state-of-the-art technologies in aircraft design. The most easily identified of these, the forward-swept wing (FSW) was combined with advanced materials, a forward mounted elevator (canard) and an electrical flight control system. The purpose of this combination of features was to test how well all these elements worked together before they were used in future aircraft. Both Germany and the U.S. experimented with FSW aircraft during World War II but did not use them operationally. One problem with the new design was that the wings could not be made rigid enough to keep them from bending dangerously at higher speeds. In the 1970s, however, composite materials became available, and wing structures could be built that were both light and rigid.
Grumman began building the first of two X-29As in 1982. The program was administered by the U.S. Air Force and jointly funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Air Force, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The first X-29A -made its initial flight on December 14, 1984 at Edwards AFB, California. On December 13, 1985, during its 26th flight, this aircraft became the world's first FSW aircraft to exceed the speed of sound in level flight. After successfully completing the test program, the X-29A was retired to the Air Force Museum in late 1994. The second X-29A made its first flight on May 23, 1989 and continued to perform test flights well into the 1990s.
__________________________________________
Boeing X-36 Prototype Fighter
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa5d-st.jpg
The Boeing Company and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are teamed to develop a prototype fighter aircraft designed for stealth and agility. The result--after only 28 months--is a subscale tailless aircraft called the X-36. The 28-percent scale, remotely piloted X-36 has no vertical or horizontal tails, yet it is expected to be more maneuverable and agile than today's fighters. In addition, the tailless design reduces the weight, drag and radar cross section typically associated with traditional fighter aircraft. In a series of upcoming flight tests, the low-cost X-36 research vehicle will demonstrate the feasibility of using new flight control technologies in place of vertical and horizontal tails to improve the maneuverability and survivability of future fighter aircraft.
During flight, the X-36 will use new split ailerons and a thrust-vectoring nozzle for directional control. The ailerons not only split to provide yaw (left and right) control, but also raise and lower asymmetrically to provide roll control. The X-36 vehicle also incorporates an advanced, single-channel digital fly-by-wire control system developed with commercially available components.
Fully fueled, the X-36 prototype weighs 1,300 pounds. It is 19 feet long and measures 11 feet at its widest point. It is 3 feet high and is powered by a Williams Research F112 engine that provides about 700 pounds of thrust. Using a video camera in the nose of the vehicle, a pilot controls the flight of the X-36 from a virtual cockpit--complete with head-up display (HUD)--in a ground-based station. This pilot-in-the-loop approach eliminates the need for expensive and complex autonomous flight control systems.
Boeing, through the former McDonnell Douglas, has been working under contract to NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., since 1989 to develop the technical breakthroughs required to achieve tailless agile flight. Based on the positive results of extensive wind tunnel tests, McDonnell Douglas in 1993 proposed building a subscale tailless research aircraft.
In 1994 McDonnell Douglas and NASA began joint funding of the development of this aircraft, now designated the X-36. Under the roughly 50/50 cost-share arrangement, NASA Ames is responsible for continued development of the critical technologies, and Boeing for fabricating the aircraft.
Boeing has built the X-36 with a combination of advanced, low-cost design and manufacturing techniques pioneered by the company's Phantom Works research-and-development operation.
__________________________________________
Northrop YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF)
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa1d-st.jpg
The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project was conceived in the early years of Reagan administration. It was pictured as being the aircraft which would replace the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in USAF service. Seven manufacturers responded to bid proposal.
On October 31, 1986, Lockheed and Northrop were announced as the winners and were awarded contracts for the Demonstration and Validation phase of the program. Each group was to build two flyable prototypes. The Lockheed-led team would build two YF-22A prototypes and the Northrop-led team would build two YF-23A prototypes.
The first YF-23A was shipped to Edwards AFB in California in 1989. It was rolled out at Edwards AFB in a public ceremony on June 22, 1990.
Progress with the flight testing was rapid. On April 23, 1991, the Air Force announced that the Lockheed group had won the demonstration/valuation phase of the ATF contest. Although detailed comparisons between the YF-22A and the YF-23A are still highly classified, the general consensus is that the YF-23A was the fastest, but the YF-23A was more maneuverable, had greater stealth, and presented fewer risks. After extensive flight testing the YF-22 was selected for production.
__________________________________________
Boeing X-32 Joint Strike Fighter
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa3d-st.jpg
The Boeing Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) One Team is developing an affordable, next-generation, multi-role strike fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The Boeing JSF is a stealthy, survivable and highly lethal weapon system that meets the military services' performance requirements while achieving strict affordability targets.
Boeing is creating for the Department of Defense an affordable next-generation, multi-role strike fighter that is more lethal and survivable – yet easier to maintain and less costly to support – than any strike fighter before it. Other U.S. allies have voiced interest in the Joint Strike Fighter program, and Boeing believes there will be a substantial international market for the low-cost, high-performance strike aircraft. JSF variants will replace aging aircraft in several United States and United Kingdom military services.
The Boeing JSF concept is one of only two proposals competing for a U.S. Department of Defense contract. The winner of this competition – to be announced in 2001 – will be the prime contractor for a military airplane construction program to produce an estimated 3,000 airplanes in the decades ahead. The other contender is Lockheed Martin.
Grumann X-29A FSW
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa2d-st.jpg
The X-29 was built to explore state-of-the-art technologies in aircraft design. The most easily identified of these, the forward-swept wing (FSW) was combined with advanced materials, a forward mounted elevator (canard) and an electrical flight control system. The purpose of this combination of features was to test how well all these elements worked together before they were used in future aircraft. Both Germany and the U.S. experimented with FSW aircraft during World War II but did not use them operationally. One problem with the new design was that the wings could not be made rigid enough to keep them from bending dangerously at higher speeds. In the 1970s, however, composite materials became available, and wing structures could be built that were both light and rigid.
Grumman began building the first of two X-29As in 1982. The program was administered by the U.S. Air Force and jointly funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Air Force, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The first X-29A -made its initial flight on December 14, 1984 at Edwards AFB, California. On December 13, 1985, during its 26th flight, this aircraft became the world's first FSW aircraft to exceed the speed of sound in level flight. After successfully completing the test program, the X-29A was retired to the Air Force Museum in late 1994. The second X-29A made its first flight on May 23, 1989 and continued to perform test flights well into the 1990s.
__________________________________________
Boeing X-36 Prototype Fighter
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa5d-st.jpg
The Boeing Company and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are teamed to develop a prototype fighter aircraft designed for stealth and agility. The result--after only 28 months--is a subscale tailless aircraft called the X-36. The 28-percent scale, remotely piloted X-36 has no vertical or horizontal tails, yet it is expected to be more maneuverable and agile than today's fighters. In addition, the tailless design reduces the weight, drag and radar cross section typically associated with traditional fighter aircraft. In a series of upcoming flight tests, the low-cost X-36 research vehicle will demonstrate the feasibility of using new flight control technologies in place of vertical and horizontal tails to improve the maneuverability and survivability of future fighter aircraft.
During flight, the X-36 will use new split ailerons and a thrust-vectoring nozzle for directional control. The ailerons not only split to provide yaw (left and right) control, but also raise and lower asymmetrically to provide roll control. The X-36 vehicle also incorporates an advanced, single-channel digital fly-by-wire control system developed with commercially available components.
Fully fueled, the X-36 prototype weighs 1,300 pounds. It is 19 feet long and measures 11 feet at its widest point. It is 3 feet high and is powered by a Williams Research F112 engine that provides about 700 pounds of thrust. Using a video camera in the nose of the vehicle, a pilot controls the flight of the X-36 from a virtual cockpit--complete with head-up display (HUD)--in a ground-based station. This pilot-in-the-loop approach eliminates the need for expensive and complex autonomous flight control systems.
Boeing, through the former McDonnell Douglas, has been working under contract to NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., since 1989 to develop the technical breakthroughs required to achieve tailless agile flight. Based on the positive results of extensive wind tunnel tests, McDonnell Douglas in 1993 proposed building a subscale tailless research aircraft.
In 1994 McDonnell Douglas and NASA began joint funding of the development of this aircraft, now designated the X-36. Under the roughly 50/50 cost-share arrangement, NASA Ames is responsible for continued development of the critical technologies, and Boeing for fabricating the aircraft.
Boeing has built the X-36 with a combination of advanced, low-cost design and manufacturing techniques pioneered by the company's Phantom Works research-and-development operation.
__________________________________________
Northrop YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF)
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa1d-st.jpg
The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project was conceived in the early years of Reagan administration. It was pictured as being the aircraft which would replace the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in USAF service. Seven manufacturers responded to bid proposal.
On October 31, 1986, Lockheed and Northrop were announced as the winners and were awarded contracts for the Demonstration and Validation phase of the program. Each group was to build two flyable prototypes. The Lockheed-led team would build two YF-22A prototypes and the Northrop-led team would build two YF-23A prototypes.
The first YF-23A was shipped to Edwards AFB in California in 1989. It was rolled out at Edwards AFB in a public ceremony on June 22, 1990.
Progress with the flight testing was rapid. On April 23, 1991, the Air Force announced that the Lockheed group had won the demonstration/valuation phase of the ATF contest. Although detailed comparisons between the YF-22A and the YF-23A are still highly classified, the general consensus is that the YF-23A was the fastest, but the YF-23A was more maneuverable, had greater stealth, and presented fewer risks. After extensive flight testing the YF-22 was selected for production.
__________________________________________
Boeing X-32 Joint Strike Fighter
http://www.aviation-central.com/xperimental/images/axa3d-st.jpg
The Boeing Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) One Team is developing an affordable, next-generation, multi-role strike fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The Boeing JSF is a stealthy, survivable and highly lethal weapon system that meets the military services' performance requirements while achieving strict affordability targets.
Boeing is creating for the Department of Defense an affordable next-generation, multi-role strike fighter that is more lethal and survivable – yet easier to maintain and less costly to support – than any strike fighter before it. Other U.S. allies have voiced interest in the Joint Strike Fighter program, and Boeing believes there will be a substantial international market for the low-cost, high-performance strike aircraft. JSF variants will replace aging aircraft in several United States and United Kingdom military services.
The Boeing JSF concept is one of only two proposals competing for a U.S. Department of Defense contract. The winner of this competition – to be announced in 2001 – will be the prime contractor for a military airplane construction program to produce an estimated 3,000 airplanes in the decades ahead. The other contender is Lockheed Martin.