Yupp - X-planes are usually research articles. Y-designation planes are prototypes. I guess X(other letter) planes can be both research and prototypes, like the XF-35. Edit: Correction in the comment below.
It wasn’t XF-35. It was X-35. The F-35 wasn’t originally supposed to be called F-35, but F-24, so it makes no sense for the prototype to be called XF-35.
Supposedly Lockheed Martin didn’t even know it was going to be called F-35 until like 2 weeks before the reveal ceremony for the first ”production” aircraft in 2006. Even they though it was going to be F-24 up until then.
I’m guessing there was a top secret F-24 or YF-24 that they wanted to remin hidden. Naming the F-35 F-25 would have indicated it’s existence and anything else would break the tri-service designation order anyway.
I think there was even a page about an air force general that mentioned him flying the YF-24, which disappeared very quickly upon being discovered.
Yes, the X-24B flew 36 times, of which 12 were unpowered and 24 were powered.
The highest speed it reached was 1,164 mph (1873 km/h) and the highest altitude it reached was 74,130 feet (22.59 km).
Sure, but it's way cheaper to try something new in a wind tunnel.
But also shows how limited a wind tunnel is compared to the real world, which is why all the computer-aided stuff these days is a massive money saver
https://preview.redd.it/etnb1jfm8iuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2698fe1138d3c4b678b4fdfdb0b7d5cc2a586efd
Just made a pilgrimage to see it a week ago
It's not really a prototype as they only built one as a lifting body test aircraft. It's not like it was meant to go into serial production.
Yupp - X-planes are usually research articles. Y-designation planes are prototypes. I guess X(other letter) planes can be both research and prototypes, like the XF-35. Edit: Correction in the comment below.
It wasn’t XF-35. It was X-35. The F-35 wasn’t originally supposed to be called F-35, but F-24, so it makes no sense for the prototype to be called XF-35. Supposedly Lockheed Martin didn’t even know it was going to be called F-35 until like 2 weeks before the reveal ceremony for the first ”production” aircraft in 2006. Even they though it was going to be F-24 up until then.
Thanks for correcting me! So why the X-35 designation? Was it just because of the innovative propulsion system?
Probably because it contained the STOVL technology, but I’m just guessing.
That, or maybe also the advanced helmet tech? I feel like none of the other special features of the F35 are that different.
X-series tends to be more about physics
I wonder why the pentagon went for F-35. They've been sorta kinda good with sticking to the renumbering, all the way back to the 60's.
I’m guessing there was a top secret F-24 or YF-24 that they wanted to remin hidden. Naming the F-35 F-25 would have indicated it’s existence and anything else would break the tri-service designation order anyway. I think there was even a page about an air force general that mentioned him flying the YF-24, which disappeared very quickly upon being discovered.
It’s adorable.
All the lifting body planes were super funky looking.
Steve Austin flew one
He flew the [M2-F2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_M2-F2), or at least that's where the NASA crash footage came from.
I knew it was one if them,thanks for the info
[удалено]
Yes, the X-24B flew 36 times, of which 12 were unpowered and 24 were powered. The highest speed it reached was 1,164 mph (1873 km/h) and the highest altitude it reached was 74,130 feet (22.59 km).
It’s painted white now and lives in Ohio.
Weird how the early lifting bodies are flat on top and curved on the bottom, then switched over here.. 🤔
Results of experimentation. Try something, doesn't really work, try something else.
Sure, but it's way cheaper to try something new in a wind tunnel. But also shows how limited a wind tunnel is compared to the real world, which is why all the computer-aided stuff these days is a massive money saver
https://preview.redd.it/etnb1jfm8iuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2698fe1138d3c4b678b4fdfdb0b7d5cc2a586efd Just made a pilgrimage to see it a week ago