After Hours

Navy X Planes from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

By // February 12, 2013, 6:08 PM PST

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  • The X-1.

    View this image gallery of examples of Navy X planes.

    The X-1 was rocket-powered research craft that was air-launched from a B-29 or a B-50 Superfortress bomber in 1947.

    © NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

    This 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

The X-1.

View this image gallery of examples of Navy X planes.

The X-1 was rocket-powered research craft that was air-launched from a B-29 or a B-50 Superfortress bomber in 1947.

© NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

This gallery was originally published in February 2008.

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