Scaled Composites Model 401

Single-Seat, Single-Engine Experimental Research Aircraft

United States | 2017

"Scaled Composites of Northrop Grumman is building two flyable aircraft for the Model 401 series."

Official image from Scaled Composites marketing material.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/11/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Scale Composites, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, is working on a new experimental flying platform designated as the "Model 401". At least two are known to have been produced to date (2017). The aircraft are intended for active in-flight data-collecting / research for an unnamed customer. A first-flight of one of the examples was recorded on October 11th, 2017 over Mojave.

The Model 401 design is driven by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-15D-5D turbofan engine developing 3,045 lb of thrust and the powerplant is buried within the aft section of the fuselage. The fuselage itself has an overall length of 38 feet with a wingspan of 38 feet. The product's listed service ceiling reaches 30,000 feet and empty weight is 4,000lb against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 8,000lb.

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The aircraft sees the sole pilot seated at front, aft of a short nosecone, under a lightly-framed canopy. The fuselage incorporates a dorsal-mounted intake, this just aft of the canopy. The tail unit consists of a "V-style" plane arrangement, the planes doubling rudders and stabilizers. The wing mainplanes are seated at midships and have uninterrupted leading edges with a saw-tooth-style trailing edge. The mainplanes are clipped at their tips. The aircraft accomplishes ground running through a conventional, retractable tricycle undercarriage.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Scaled Composites Model 401 Single-Seat, Single-Engine Experimental Research Aircraft.

1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-15D-5D turbofan engine developing 3,045 lb of thrust.
Propulsion

460 mph
740 kph | 400 kts
Max Speed

30,003 ft
9,145 m | 6 miles
Service Ceiling

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Scaled Composites Model 401 Single-Seat, Single-Engine Experimental Research Aircraft.

(MANNED)
Crew

38.0 ft
11.58 m
O/A Length

38.0 ft
(11.58 m)
O/A Width

4,001 lb
(1,815 kg)
Empty Weight

8,003 lb
(3,630 kg)
MTOW

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Scaled Composites Model 401 family line.

Model 401 - Base Series Designation; two aircraft being completed.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Scaled Composites Model 401. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 0 Units
Contractor(s): Scaled Composites (Northrop Grumman) - USA

[ United States ]

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Image of the Scaled Composites Model 401

Official image from Scaled Composites marketing material.

Going Further...
The Scaled Composites Model 401 Single-Seat, Single-Engine Experimental Research Aircraft appears in the following collections:

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