The Rockwell-Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm X-31 First flight

[TAA donaldson1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7utcSDryTU

 

The Rockwell-Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability program was designed to test fighter thrust vectoring technology. Thrust vectoring allows the X-31 to fly in a direction other than where the nose is pointing, resulting in significantly more maneuverability than most conventional fighters. An advanced flight control system provides controlled flight at high angles of attack where conventional aircraft would stall.

 

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993--94

 

General characteristics

 

Crew: one

 

Length: 43ft 4 in (13.21m)

 

Wingspan: 23 ft 10 in (7.26 m)

 

Height: 14 ft 7in (4.44m)

 

Wing area: 226.3 sq ft (21.02 m²)

 

Aspect ratio: 2.51:1

 

Empty weight: 11,410 lb (5,175 kg)

 

Loaded weight: 14,600 lb (6,622 kg)

 

Max. takeoff weight: 15,935 lb (7,228 kg)

 

Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofan, 16,000 lbf (71 kN)(afterburning)

 

Performance

 

Maximum speed: Mach 1.28[8] (900 mph, 783 knots, 1,449 km/h)

 

Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,200 m)

 

Rate of climb: 43,000 ft/min (218 m/s)

 

Wing loading: 64.5 lb/ft² (315 kg/m²)

 

 

[Guest Howard Hughes]

Rate of climb: 43,000 ft/min (218 m/s)

I'll take one!

 

 

[Zibi]

If you want a proper thrust vectoring in action, check this one:

 

It's as if laws of physics don't apply to that plane...

 

 

[kgwilson]

Those Flankers certainly have thrust vectoring sorted, but then the good old harrier was the only successful one to land vertically, fly sideways & backwards & hover.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Those Russians sure produce great music and aircraft.

 

 

[donaldson1]

More X-Planes, this time the Nasa/Grumman X-29

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HdcoYq_mbQ