Navy X Planes from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
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The X-1.
ntView this image gallery of examples of Navy X planes.
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ntThe X-1 was rocket-powered research craft that was air-launched from a B-29 or a B-50 Superfortress bomber in 1947.
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ntu00a9 NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
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ntThis gallery was originally published in February 2008.
The X-1A.
In 1955, an explosion damaged the aircraft. This caused the pilot to scrabble back to the mothership, resulting in the X-1A being jettisoned over the test area.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
The X-1A.
The X-1A with the flight data superimposed.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
The X-1B.
The X-1B had a modified fuselage with greater capacity for fuel tanks.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
The X-1B.
The X-1B’s cockpit and instrument panel.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
The X-E
The X-E’s rocket engine allowed it to travel at a speed of 1,471 MPH.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
The X-1E with pilot Joe Walker.
The pilot’s gear protected him if pressure was lost above 50,000 feet.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-2
The X-2 was designed and built by Bell Aircraft Company to fly faster than Mach 3.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-3
Designed by the Douglas Aircraft Co. the X-3 was the first aircraft to use titanium in major airframe components.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-4
The X-4’s semi-tailless configuration caused stability problems as it approached the speed of sound.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-5
The X-5 was the first aircraft capable of sweeping its wings in flight.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-15A-2
The X-15A-2 recorded a speed of Mach 6.7 and an altitude of 354,200 feet.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-24A
This lifting body aircraft was designed to demonstrate the ability of pilots to safely land wingless aircraft back to Earth from space.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-29
The X-29 investigated high angle-of-attack characteristics.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-31
The X-31 was an Enhanced Maneuverability aircraft.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-13
The X-13 was to be rocketed into the air and then glide back to Earth. Technical problems caused the program to end in 2001.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-36
The X-36 was a Tailless Fighter Agility Research Aircraft.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-38
The X-38 is an Experimental Crew Return Vehicle.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-40A
The X-40A was designed to demonstrate the capability of the orbital and reentry environments for reusable launch vehicles.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-48B
The X-48B is a Blended Wing Body aircraft.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
X-Wing
The X-Wing was conceived to provide the vertical lift of a helicopter combined with the speed of a fixed wing aircraft.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
XV-15
The XV-15 is able to convert from helicopter to airplane mode.
© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
