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Tiltrotor Research Aircraft Hovering
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(1978) The NASA-Army-Bell XV-15 tiltrotor research aircraft hovered (1976) and then demonstrated conversion and forward flight (1978) as the first tilting rotor vehicle to solve the problems of "prop whirl." Through tremendously difficult research, the tilt rotor aircraft was able to combine the advantages of vertical liftoff and landing capabilities, which are inherent to the traditional helicopter, with the forward speed and range of a fixed wing turboprop airplane. This research can eventually lead to providing the aviation transportation industry with the flexibility for high-speed, long-range flight, united with runway-independent operations, thereby significantly relieving airport congestion. The research success so far has directly led to the V-22 Osprey development. For more information, please see NASA History Monograph 17, The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft: From Concept to Flight by Martin Maisel. ..Image # : EC80-75
The X-planes are a series of experimental United States aircraft and rockets, used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts. They have an X designator, which indicates the research mission within the US system of aircraft designations. The first, the Bell X-1, became well known in 1947 after it became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight. Most of the X-planes have been operated by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) or, later, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), often in conjunction with the United States Air Force. The majority of X-plane testing has occurred at Edwards Air Force Base. Some of the X-planes have been well publicized, while others have been developed in secrecy. Most X-planes are not expected to go into full-scale production.
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