Grumman X-29

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Grumman X-29
Description
Role	Technology Demonstrator
Crew	1
First Flight	December 14, 1984
Manufacturer	Grumman Aerospace Corporation
Dimensions
Length	48 ft 1 in	14.7 m
Wingspan	27 ft 2 in	8.8 m
Height	14 ft 3 in	4.3 m
Weights
Empty	lb	kg
Loaded	lb	kg
Maximum takeoff	17,300 lb	7,700 kg
Powerplant
Engines	1x General Electric F404 turbofan
Thrust	16,000 lb	71.3 kN
Performance
Maximum speed	1,200mph	1,930km/h
Range	miles	km
Service ceiling	55,000 ft	16,800 m
Rate of climb	ft/min	m/min
Wing loading	lb/ft²	kg/m²
Thrust/Weight
Avionics
Avionics

The Grumman X-29 explored a number of new technologies, the most immediately obvious being the forward swept wings (FSW) and canard control surface. The inherent aerodynamic instability of this arrangement required the use of computerised fly-by-wire control, and advanced composite materials were needed to make the wing sufficiently rigid without being unacceptably heavy.

Two X-29As were built by Grumman Aerospace Corporation, and first flown in 1984. The two aircraft were made from existing Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter airframes. The test program of the two planes continued for over a decade, and on December 13, 1985 one of them became the first FSW aircraft to fly supersonically in level flight.

The X-29A demonstrated excellent control and maneuvering qualities at an angle of attack up to 45 degrees.

The wing configuration made the craft inherently unstable. It could fly only with the constant corrections (up to 40 per second) provided by the computerised flight control system. The system was made up of three redundant digital computers backed up by three redundant analog computers. It was estimated that a total failure of the system was as unlikely as a mechanical failure in a normal airplane.

The first craft built is now on display in the USAF Museum.

Serial numbers

• 82-0003, (rebuilt Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter #63-8372) - 242 flights
• 82-0049, (rebuilt Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter #65-10573) - 132 flights

Also See

• X-plane

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ja:X-29_(航空機)