Friday, April 25, 2014

Rockwell X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability program

The first Rockwell-MBB X-31 (Bu. No. 164584) f...
The first Rockwell X-31 flies over Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 1993
The Rockwell X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability program was designed to test fighter thrust vectoring technology. Thrust vectoring allows the X-31 to fly in a direction other than where the nose is pointing, resulting in significantly more maneuverability than most conventional fighters.

Two X-31s were built, with the first flying on October 11, 1990. Over 500 test flights were carried out between 1990 and 1995. The X-31 featured fixed strakes along the aft fuselage, as well as a pair of movable computer-controlled canards to increase stability and maneuverability.
X-31 Demonstrating High Angle of Attack - Herb...
X-31 Demonstrating High Angle of Attack 

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