| NASA Center: |
Dryden Flight Research Center |
|---|
| Image # : |
X-29 |
|---|
| Date : |
1984
|
|---|
|
Title
X-29 in Flight
Full Description
The X-29 Flight Research Aircraft features one of the most
unusual designs in aviation history. Demonstrating forward swept
wing technology, this aircraft investigated numerous advanced
aviation concepts and technologies. The fighter-size X-29
explored the use of advanced composites in aircraft construction,
variable camber wing surfaces, an unique forward-swept-wing and
its thin supercritical airfoil, and strake flaps. The X-29 also
demonstrated three specific aerodynamic effects:canard effects,
active controls, and aeroelastic tailoring. Canard effects use
canards (small wings) to function as another control surface
to manipulate air flow. Active controls enable an airplane
to pull air across the plane in specific directions rather
than passively letting the air flow over it. Aeroelastic
tailoring allows parts of an aircraft to flex slightly when air
hits it in a certain way to allow for maximum flexibility of
air flow. Although the X-29 was one of the most instable of the
X-series in maneuvering capabilities, it was controlled by a
computerized fly-by-wire flight control system that overcame
the instability going further than any other aircraft testing
the limits of computer controls. The first flight was
December 14, 1984.
Keywords
X-29, Flight Research Aircraft, swept wing, Digital-Fly-By-Wire,
Canard Effects, Active Controls, Aeroelastic Tailoring
Subject Category
X-Series Aircraft, Top 20 Dryden Aircraft
Reference Numbers
- Center:
DFRC
- Center Number:
X-29
- GRIN DataBase Number:
GPN-2002-000193
Source Information
- Creator/Photographer: NASA
- Original Source:
| Resolution | Format | Width
(Pixels) | Height
(Pixels) | Size
(KBytes) |
Thumbnail |
JPEG |
75 |
55 |
9 |
Small |
JPEG |
75 |
55 |
9 |
Medium |
JPEG |
1248 |
923 |
866 |
Large |
JPEG |
2496 |
1846 |
2,142 |
Other relevant NASA Web sites:
• NASA Headquarters
• NASA History Office
• NASA Image eXchange (NIX)
• NASA Multimedia Gallery
• NASA Human Spaceflight
Updated October 31, 2002
• History Questions: NASA History Office
• Responsible NASA Official: Steve Garber
• Author: Michael Hahn. Editor: Dwayne A. Day
• Curator & Technical Questions: Erin Needham
• NASA's Privacy Statement
|
