Lockheed X-62A VISTA

Active Flying Testbed Aircraft [ 2018 ]

The Lockheed X-62A VISTA serves exclusively as a flying testbed for the United States Air Force.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/14/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from Edwards Air Force Base press release; Public Release.

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The X-62 "VISTA" ("VarIable Stability in-flight Simulator Test Aircraft") is an unarmed, "one-off" active-flying testbed operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School out of Edwards AFB. The aircraft is a renaming of the earlier NF-16D VISTA platform ("N" to signifying "Special Test, Permanent") which is an original airframe pulled from the General Dynamics F-16D Block 30 multi-role lightweight USAF fighter stock. Heavily modified for its flying testbed role, the NF-16D was given such changes as a unique "Multi-Axis Thrust-Vectoring" (MATV) exhaust port to achieve unparalleled agility while also being able to better sustain control in the post-stall phase - a critical quality in active flight-testing.

The NF-16D became X-62A in June of 2021. The aircraft is supported by Calspan (a science and technology firm) and aircraft-maker Lockheed Martin (under which the General Dynamics brand was ultimately absorbed).

As the aircraft is based in the existing F-16D model, its characteristics (mainly form and function) remain largely unchanged and faithful to the original: the aircraft carries a crew of two in tandem under a wide-area, clear view canopy. Thus the platform retains the excellent vision out-of-the-cockpit for both pilots (the second crewman operating as a "safety pilot"). The dorsal spine is enlarged to house the special equipment carried by the jet and is a feature common to Israeli Air Force (IAF) Fighting Falcons. Dimensions include a running length of 48.6 feet, a wingspan of 32.1 feet, and a height of 15.8 feet. Empty weight is 18,238lb against an MTOW of 42,300lb.

Power is supplied from a single General Electric F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan engine delivering 16,600lb of thrust on dry and up to 28,200lb of thrust with reheat engaged. This gives the platform a maximum speed of 1,350 miles-per-hour - up Mach 2+ at altitude. Ferry range is 3,200 miles and its service ceiling is 50,000 feet.

For its time in the air, the aircraft has been instrumental in the development of the F-35's virtual Head-Up Display (HUD) and Direct Voice-Input systems. The airframe has since been given the System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS) suite for the "Skyborg" initiative. Skyborg is an evolving capability centered on autonomy intended to team unmanned aircraft with manned ones at a much lower cost of procurement, operation, and long-term sustainment.©MilitaryFactory.com

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June 2021 - The NF-16D has formally been redesignated as the "X-62A".

February 2023 - The X-62A has flown with four "AI Agents" installed, these developed by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, EpiSci, PhysicsAI, and ShieldAI.

Specifications

Lockheed Martin / Calspan (X-62A) / General Dynamics (F-16D) - USA
Manufacturer(s)

United States (USAF)
Operators

2018
Service Year

United States
National Origin

Active
Project Status

2
Crew

1
Units

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

RADAR-CAPABLE
Houses, or can house (through specialized variants), radar equipment for searching, tracking, and engagement of enemy elements.

DIRECTIONAL THRUST
Engine outlet(s) designed to direct thrust to certain angles, achieving enhanced agility.

WING SWEEPBACK
Mainplanes, or leading edges, features swept-back lines for enhanced high-speed performance and handling.

RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.

HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE
Can accelerate to higher speeds than average aircraft of its time.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.

PILOT / CREW EJECTION SYSTEM
Assisted process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to eject in the event of an airborne emergency.

CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION
Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.

ENCLOSED CREWSPACE(S)
Features partially- or wholly-enclosed crew workspaces.

RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.

48.6 ft
(14.80 meters)
Length

32.2 ft
(9.80 meters)
Width/Span

15.7 ft
(4.80 meters)
Height

18,243 lb
(8,275 kilograms)
Empty Weight

42,329 lb
(19,200 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+24,086 lb
(+10,925 kg)
Weight Difference

monoplane / mid-mounted / swept-back
Mainplane Arrangement

Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.

Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.

Swept-Back
The planform features wing sweep back along the leading edges of the mainplane, promoting higher operating speeds.

1 x General Electric F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan engine developing 16,600lb of thrust dry and 28,200lb of thrust with reheat.
Propulsion

1,348 mph
(2,170 kph | 1,172 knots)
Max Speed

49,213 ft
(15,000 m | 9 miles)
Ceiling

3,231 miles
(5,200 km | 2,808 nm)
Range

50,000 ft/min
(15,240 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None. Special-mission equipment carried.

X-62A - Base Designation; single example completed.

NF-16D - Original project aircraft designation until June 2021.

F-16D Block 30 - Original General Dynamics / Lockheed airframe on which the X-62A was modified from.

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Images

1 / 1

Image from Edwards Air Force Base press release; Public Release.

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