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THE 456th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON |
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THE PROTECTORS OF S. A. C. |
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The Martin X-24A |
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X-24A
The X-24 series of lifting bodies, a joint NASA/USAF project, was designed to investigate flight characteristics within the atmosphere from high altitude supersonic speeds to landing, and to prove the feasibility of using lifting bodies for return from space. They are wingless aerospacecraft which derive lift from their body contours and aerodynamic control surfaces. They are designed to be launched into space by rocket boosters to ferry crews and supplies to space stations. Upon reentry into the atmosphere, they can be maneuvered to a landing site.
The X-24A made its first powered flight on March 19, 1970. It was carried aloft and released by a B-52. Upon release, the X-24A pilot ignited the rocket engine which boosted the lifting body to its maximum speed and altitude; then he maneuvered it to a glide landing on a dry lakebed. The X-24A made 28 powered flights at the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards AFB, California.
The X-24A on display was originally the jet-powered Martin SV-5J, a derivative of the X-24A. It was never flown. For display, the SV-5J has been converted to simulate the original X-24A. In 1972, the X-24A was rebuilt as the X-24B with a more stable configuration.
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X-24A
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 13 ft. 8 in.
Length: 24 ft. 6 in.
Height: 10 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 10,700 lbs. max. at launch
Armament: None
Engines: One Thiokol XLR-11 rocket engine of 8,000 lbs. thrust, two Bell LLRV optional landing rockets of 400 lbs. thrust ea.
Serial number (as displayed): X-24A 13551PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 1,036 mph.
Maximum Altitude: 71,407 ft.
Martin X-24B
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In 1972, the X-24A was stripped to the basic framework and rebuilt as the X-24B with a more stable external configuration designed by the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. The new body was delta-shaped and had twice the lifting surface of the X-24A. As a continuation of PILOT, the goals of the testing program were to explore handling qualities of the wingless configuration for extended near-earth flight and for conventional runway approaches and landings.
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The Martin Marietta X-24B is displayed under the wing of the North American XB-70A Valkyrie at the Air Force Museum. The flight plan for the X-24B was much the same as that of the X-24A. After being carried to about 45,000 feet (13,680 meters) altitude by a B-52, the X-24B was released. Following ignition and burnout of the rocket engine, the pilot guided the lifting body to a glide landing. On August 5, 1975, the X-24B made the first landing of a lifting body on a conventional runway. A second landing on the same runway on August 20, 1975 confirmed that the lifting body could safely be landed like normal aircraft.
The X-24B made its thirty-sixth and last flight on November 26, 1975. It was delivered to the Museum in November 1976.
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 19 ft. 2 in.
Length: 37 ft. 6 in.
Height: 10 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 13,000 lbs. loaded
Armament: None
Engine: One Thiokol XLR-11 rocket of 8,000 lbs. thrust; two bell LLRV optional landing rockets of 400 lbs. thrust each
Serial number: 66-13551PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 1,163 mph.
Maximum Altitude: 74,130 ft.
