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| X-36 | |
|---|---|
 X-36 in flight | |
| General information | |
| Type | Research aircraft |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas/Boeing |
| Status | Retired |
| Number built | 2[1] |
| History | |
| First flight | 17 May 1997 |
TheMcDonnell Douglas (laterBoeing)X-36Tailless Fighter Agility Research Aircraft is an American stealthy subscaleprototypejet. Built forNASA and first flown in 1997, it was designed without the traditionalempennage found on most aircraft. This configuration was designed to reduce weight, drag, andradar cross section; and increase range, maneuverability, and survivability.[2]
The X-36 was built to 28% scale of a possible fighter aircraft and was controlled by apilot in a ground-based virtualcockpit with a view provided by avideo camera mounted in thecanopy of the aircraft.
For control, acanard forward of the wing was used as well assplit ailerons and an advancedthrust vectoringnozzle for directional control. The X-36 was unstable in bothpitch and yaw axes, so an advanced digitalfly-by-wire control system was used to provide stability.
First flown on 17 May 1997, it made 31 successful research flights. It handled very well, and the program is reported to have met or exceeded all project goals. McDonnell Douglas merged withBoeing in August 1997 while the test program was in progress; the aircraft is sometimes referred to as the Boeing X-36.
The X-36 possessed high maneuverability that would be ideal for use as a fighter. Despite its potential suitability, and highly successful test program, there have been no reports regarding further development of the X-36 or any derived design as of 2025.
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1997-98,[5] Designation Systems,[6] American X-Vehicles[7]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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