Rockwell-MBB X-31 (EFM)

Thrust-Vectoring Experimental Aircraft [ 1990 ]

Two Rockwell-MBB X-31 aircraft were completed to test the nuances of vectored thrust - the series flew into 2003.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/20/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The X-31 experimental aircraft was a joint development venture between Rockwell and Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) of Germany to test the viability of thrust-vectoring hardware and software. Two prototypes were used throughout the program's run with a first-flight recorded on October 11th, 1990. Of the pair, one crashed during a test flight (the pilot ejecting safely) while the surviving member ended its days as a showpiece at the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim in Germany.

Many off-the-shelf components, borrowed from designs like the F-16, F-16XL, F/A-18 Hornet and B-1 bomber, made up the actual aircraft to keep development costs down and construction times short. The result was a sleek, though largely conventional, fighter design sporting well-swept, low-mounted monoplane wings (in a canard delta configuration), a single rudder and no horizontal planes at the tail (instead nose-mounted canards took over their role). A retractable undercarriage assisted ground running. The pilot was given a commanding view over the nose thanks to an elevated seating position and tear-drop-style canopy. The fuselage appeared with rounded slab sides and a deep profile.

Power was derived from a single General Electric F404-GE-400 series turbofan engine of 16,000lb thrust output, giving the airframe a maximum speed of 900 miles per hour, a service ceiling up to 40,000 feet and a rate-of-climb nearing 43,000 feet per minute. The engine was aspirated through a rectangular intake identified under the cockpit floor aft of the nose cone. The key design element of the X-31 was its jet pipe exhaust structure which incorporated three moveable panels to direct the flow of outgoing thrust. The idea was to test high Angle-of-Attack (AoA) performance during maneuvers - in this respect, the program succeeded.

Between the two prototypes, 580 flights were completed. Prototype 1 was lost on January 19th, 1995 due to ice build-up at the pitot tube resulting in incorrect data being fed to the onboard computers. Prototype 2 flew on into 2003 before being put out to pasture.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Rockwell - USA / Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) - Germany
Manufacturer(s)

Germany; United States
Operators

1990
Service Year

United States
National Origin

1
Crew

2
Units

X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

43.3 ft
(13.21 meters)
Length

23.8 ft
(7.25 meters)
Width/Span

14.6 ft
(4.45 meters)
Height

11,409 lb
(5,175 kilograms)
Empty Weight

15,939 lb
(7,230 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+4,530 lb
(+2,055 kg)
Weight Difference

1 x General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning turbofan engine developing 16,000lb of thrust.
Propulsion

901 mph
(1,450 kph | 783 knots)
Max Speed

40,026 ft
(12,200 m | 8 miles)
Ceiling

43,000 ft/min
(13,106 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None.

X-31 - Base Series Designation; two flyable aircraft completed.

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