Grumman X-29

The X-29A is a USAF/NASA technology demonstrator built to investigate the aerodynamic advantages of the forward-swept wing concept. Built upon the body of a modified F-5E Tiger II with a single F404-GE-400 engine, forward-mounted canard wings, and redesigned air intakes, the X-29 logged a total of 422 flights between models 1 and 2 and managed to achieve a maximum angle of attack of 67 degrees. It has the ability to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.6. Without advanced composites, lightweight airframe made of aluminum and titanium, and fly-by-wire controls, none of the plane’s accomplishments would have been possible as the aircraft is inherently unstable and the FSW adheres to stresses far greater than that of a conventional swept back wing planform. The program was conducted between 1984 and 1992, and has been attributed by western sources as console to the design of the Russian-made Su-47 Berkut.

The X-29 was not the first FSW, the first was made in 1944 by Junkers, called the Junkers Ju-287.

Development
Two X-29As were built by Grumman Aerospace Corporation of two airframes have Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, after the proposal has been selected over competing one involving Fighting Falcon General Dynamics F-16 ) . X-29 design makes use of the fuselage and nose landing gear of F - 5As to the control surface of the main driving force and the landing gear of F - 16 . Advances in technology make the X - 29 design reasonable use of carbon - fiber composites. Grumman internal appointments for X-29 " Grumman Model 712 " or " G -712 ".." The X-29 first flew in 1984 out of Edwards AFB with Grumman 's Chief Test Pilot Chuck Sewell in control.

On December 13, 1985 an X-29 became the first jet wing and forward flight in supersonic in level flight. Junkers Ju 287 before the first jet -wing aircraft with forward-swept. NASA test events between the two X-29s, continued from 1984 to 1991.

X - 29A showed very good control and maneuvering characteristics at an angle of attack of 45 °. However, configurasi wings make it unstable and it can fly only with the corrections used ( take to 40 per second) provided by the computerized flight control system. The system consists of three over the digital computer is supported by over three analog computers ; any three can fly it on their own, but the surplus allowed them to hold for an error. Each of the three would " vote "on their size, so that if the first vote so the malfunction can be detected. It has been estimated that the damage amount of the system as it is not possible as the mechanical damage in the arrangement of conventional aircraft.

X-29 was first exhibited at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. Another of the show at Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. a model of its original size in a performance at the National Air and Space Museum National Mall building in Washington, DC.

General characteristics

 * Crew: one pilot
 * Payload: 4,000 lb (1,810 kg)
 * Length: 48 ft 1 in (14.7 m)
 * Wingspan: 27 ft 2 in (8.29 m)
 * Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.26 m)
 * Wing area: 188.8 ft² (17.54 m²)
 * Empty weight: 13,800 lb (6,260 kg)
 * Max takeoff weight: 17,800 lb (8,070 kg)
 * Powerplant: 1× General Electric F404 turbofan, 16,000 lbf (71.2 kN)

Performance

 * Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (1,100 mph, 1,770 km/h)
 * Range: 350 mi (560 km)
 * Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (16,800 m)

Armament

 * Guns: M39 Colt Pontiac 20 mm
 * Missiles: 7 hardpoints to put missiles
 * Missiles Air-Air: AIM9X Sidewinder
 * Missiles Air-to-Surface: BLU-73/B Fuel-Air-Explosive, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-65D Maverick