The X-37B OTV has landed. (previously) and
(previously) Launched in late April the space plane was
tracked by
amateur astronomers and
sky watchers during its 7-month
stay in orbit. The X-37 has he capability to maneuver changing orbit, track, and altitude. This led to a
cat and mouse game with the earthbound skygazers. The X-37B is one of the latest in a series of experimental aircraft known as the X-planes.
The X-planes have a long and storied
history. From the original
sound barrier breaking X-1, to the original
space plane the
X-15, the X-series of aircraft have represented the cutting edge of aeronautical innovation for the last 65 years.
Accomplishments of the X-Plane family have been many. The program included:
(1) the first aircraft to break the sound barrier;
(2) the first aircraft to use a variable-sweep-wing in flight; (3) the first to fly at altitudes in excess of 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 m (
100,000,
200,000 and 300,000Êft);
(4) the first to use exotic alloy metals for primary structure;
(5) the first to test gimbaled jet and rocket engines;
(6) the first to use jet-thrust for launch and landing; (7) the first to fly
three,
four, five, and six times the speed of sound;
(8) the first to test boundary-layer-airflow control theories over an entire wing at transonic speeds;
(9) the first to successfully complete a 180-degree turn using a post-stall maneuver; and
(10) the first missile to reach an intercontinental flight range.
X-Planes
X-1,
X-2,
X-3,
X-4,
X-5,
X-6,
X-7,
X-8,
X-9,
X-10,
X-11,
X-12,
X-13,
X-14,
X-15,
X-16,
X-17,
X-18,
X-19,
X-20,
X-21,
X-22,
X-23,
X-24,
X-25,
X-26,
X-27,
X-28,
X-29,
X-30,
X-31,
X-32,
X-33,
X-34,
X-35,
X-36,
X-37,
X-38,
X-39,
X-40,
X-41,
X-42,
X-43,
X-44,
X-45,
X-46,
X-47,
X-48,
X-49,
X-50,
X-51,
X-52,
X-53,
X-54,
X-55
There are also several series of X-planes that preceded or paralleled the current X naming scheme.
XA series - Prototype or experimental attack aircraft
Stearman XA-21,
Douglas XA-26;A;B,
Vultee XA-31A;B;C,
Brewster XA-32;A,
Beech XA-38 Grizzly,
Vultee XA-41
XB series - Prototype or experimental bomber aircraft
North American XB-25E;F;G,
Martin XB-26H,
North American XB-28,
Boeing XB-29,
Lockheed XB-30,
Consolidated XB-32 Dominator, XB-34 - not used; see
B-34 Lexington,
Northrop XB-35,
Convair XB-36, XB-37 - not used; see
B-37,
Boeing/Lockheed Vega XB-38,
Boeing XB-39,
Boeing/Lockheed Vega XB-40,
Consolidated XB-41,
Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster,
Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster,
Boeing/Pratt & Whitney XB-44,
North American XB-45 Tornado,
Convair XB-46,
Boeing XB-47 Stratojet,
Martin XB-48,
Northrop XB-49,
Martin XB-51,
Boeing XB-52,
Convair XB-53,
Convair XB-58 Hustler,
Convair XB-60, and my personal favorite X-Plane the
North American XB-70 Valkyrie with bonus pics
1(with the X-15),
2,
3,
4
XC Series
LTV XC-142,
Convair XC-99
XF Series - This series covers post-World War II fighter development when the newly independent USAF changed the "P" pursuit designation to "F" for fighter.
Convair XF-81,
Bell XF-83,
Republic XF-84H Thunderscreech,
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin(you may remember
seeing this here),
Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk,
McDonnell XF-88 Voodoo,
Northrop XF-89 Scorpion,
Lockheed XF-90,
Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor,
Convair XF-92 Dart,
Republic XF-103 Thunderwarrior,
Lockheed XF-104,
North American XF-108 Rapier
XP Series - This series covers fighter development up to the end of World War II.
Boeing XP-4,
Boeing XP-7,
Boeing XP-8,
Boeing XP-9,
Curtiss XP-10,
Thomas-Morse XP-13 Viper,
Boeing XP-15,
Curtiss XP-17,
Curtiss XP-21 Hawk,
Curtiss XP-22 Hawk,
Curtiss XP-23 Hawk,
Curtiss XP-31 Swift,
Bell XP-39,
Seversky XP-41,
Curtiss XP-42,
Curtiss XP-46,
Douglas XP-48,
Lockheed XP-49,
Grumman XP-50 Skyrocket,
North American XP-51 Mustang,
Bell XP-52,
Curtiss XP-53,
Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose,
Curtiss XP-55 Ascender,
Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet,
Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning,
Bell XP-59 Airacomet,
Curtiss XP-60,
Curtiss XP-62,
McDonnell XP-67 Bat,
Curtiss XP-71,
Republic XP-72,
Hughes XP-73,
Bell XP-76,
Bell XP-77,
North American XP-78; redesignated XP-51B,
Northrop XP-79 Flying Ram
U.S. Navy "X" designations
Boeing XF8B,
Curtiss XF14C,
Grumman XF5F Skyrocket,
Grumman XF10F Jaguar,
Bell XFL Airabonita,
Bell XF3L,
Ryan XF2R,
Chance Vought XF5U,
Lockheed XFV,
Convair XFY-1,
Convair XF2Y-1 Sea Dart
Others
Bell XV-15,
SAX-40
Non-"X" designations
AstroFlight Sunrise,
Boeing Bird of Prey,
Boeing Skyfox,
Douglas D-558-I Skystreak,
Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket,
FALCON,
Goodyear Inflatoplane,
Lockheed Have Blue,
Lockheed P-175 Polecat,
NASA M2-F1,
NASA AD-1 Oblique Wing,
Northrop HL-10,
Northrop M2-F2,
Northrop M2-F3,
Northrop Tacit Blue,
HiMAT,
Roton ATV,
Boomerang,
Proteus,
ALTUS,
Pathfinder,
Helios
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frikkin props aelfy
posted by clavdivs at 1:08 AM on December 6, 2010