| Rockwell-MBB X-31
|
|
| Description
|
| Role | Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability demonstrator
|
| Crew | 1
|
| First Flight |
|
| Entered Service |
|
| Manufacturer | Rockwell and MBB
|
| Dimensions
|
| Length | 44 ft 4 in | 13.2 m
|
| Wingspan | 23 ft 10 in | 7.3 m
|
| Height | ft in | m
|
| Wing area | ft² | m²
|
| Weights
|
| Empty | lb | kg
|
| Loaded | lb | kg
|
| Maximum takeoff | lb | kg
|
| Powerplant
|
| Engines | General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofan
|
| Thrust | 16,000 lbf | 71.4 kN
|
| Performance
|
| Maximum speed | 850 mph | 1,360 km/h
|
| Service ceiling | ft | m
|
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min
|
| Wing loading | lb/ft² | kg/m²
|
| Thrust/Weight |
|
| Avionics
|
| Avionics |
|
The US-German Rockwell-MBB X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability demonstrator
was designed to test the value of using thrust vectoring
coupled with an advanced flight control system to provide controlled flight to very high angles of attack.
The result was a significant advantage over most conventional fighters in close-in combat situations.
Two X-31s were built, and over 500 test flights were carried out between 1990 and 1995.
During flight testing, the X-31 aircraft established several milestones. On November 6, 1992, the X-31 achieved controlled flight at a 70-degree angle of attack. On April 29, 1993, the second X-31 successfully
executed a rapid minimum-radius, 180-degree turn using a post-stall maneuver, flying well beyond the aerodynamic limits of any conventional aircraft. This revolutionary maneuver has been called the "Herbst Maneuver" after Wolfgang Herbst, a German proponent of using post-stall flight in air-to-air combat.
Serial numbers
External link
- This article contains material and/or images that originally came from a NASA website. All NASA information is in the public domain, with the exception of the usage-restricted NASA logo. For more information, please review NASA's use guidelines (http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/policies.html#Guidelines).
|
