Martin-Marietta X-24

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Martin X-24A
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Martin X-24A
Martin X-24B
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Martin X-24B
This article is about the experimental aircraft. For the aeroplane engine, see X-24 engine.

The X-24 was an experimental US aircraft developed from a joint USAF-NASA program named PILOT (1963-1975). It was designed and built to test lifting body concepts, experimenting with the concept of unpowered reentry and landing, later used by the Space Shuttle.

[edit] X-24A Development

The X-24 was one of a group of lifting bodies flown by the NASA Flight Research Center (now Dryden Flight Research Center) in a joint program with the U.S. Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base in California from 1963 to 1975. The lifting bodies were used to demonstrate the ability of pilots to maneuver and safely land wingless vehicles designed to fly back to Earth from space and be landed like an airplane at a predetermined site.

Lifting bodies’ aerodynamic lift, essential to flight in the atmosphere, was obtained from their shape. The addition of fins and control surfaces allowed the pilots to stabilize and control the vehicles and regulate their flight paths.

The X-24 was built by Martin Marietta and flown from Edwards AFB, California. The X-24A was the fourth lifting body design to fly, it followed the NASA M2-F1 in 1964, the Northrop HL-10 in (1966), the Northrop M2-F2 in 1968 and preceded the Northrop M2-F3 (1970).

The X-24A was a fat, short teardrop shape with vertical fins for control. It made its first, unpowered, glide flight on April 17, 1969 with Air Force Maj. Jerauld Gentry at the controls. Gentry also piloted its first powered flight on March 19, 1970. The craft was taken to around 45,000 feet (13.7 km) by a modified B-52 and then drop launched, then either glided down or used its rocket engine to ascend to higher altitudes before gliding down. The X-24A was flown 28 times at speeds up to 1,036 mph (1,667 km/h) and altitudes up to 71,400 feet (21.8 km).

[edit] X-24A Operational History

The X-24A was flown 28 times in the program that, like the HL-10, validated the concept that a Space Shuttle vehicle could be landed unpowered. The fastest speed achieved by the X-24A was 1,036 miles per hour (1667 km/h or Mach 1.6). Its maximum altitude was 71,400 feet (21.8 km) . It was powered by an XLR-11 rocket engine with a maximum theoretical vacuum thrust of 8,480 pounds force (37.7 kN).

The X-24A was modified into the more stable X-24B with an entirely different shape in 1972. The bulbous shape of the X-24A was converted into a "flying flatiron" shape with a rounded top, flat bottom, and double delta platform that ended in a pointed nose. It was the basis for the Martin SV-5J. The X-24A shape was later borrowed for the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) technology demonstrator for the International Space Station.

  • X-24A pilots
    • Jerauld R. Gentry - 13 flights
    • John A. Manke - 12 flights
    • Cecil W. Powell - 3 flights

[edit] X-24B Development

The X-24B's design evolved from a family of potential reentry shapes, each with higher lift-to-drag ratios, proposed by the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. To reduce the costs of constructing a research vehicle, the Air Force returned the X-24A to the Martin Marietta Corporation (as Martin Aircraft Company became after a merger) for modifications that converted its bulbous shape into one resembling a "flying flatiron" -- rounded top, flat bottom, and a double delta planform that ended in a pointed nose.

First to fly the X-24B was John Manke, a glide flight on 1 August 1973. He was also the pilot on the first powered mission 15 November 1973.

[edit] X-24B Operational History

The X-24B demonstrated that accurate unpowered reentry vehicle landings were operationally feasible. Top speed achieved by the X-24B was 1,164 mph (1873 km/h) and the highest altitude it reached was 74,130 feet (22.59 km). The vehicle is on display at the Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The pilot on the last powered flight of the X-24B was Bill Dana, who also flew the last X-15 flight about seven years earlier.

Among the final flights with the X-24B were two precise landings on the main concrete runway at Edwards which showed that accurate unpowered reentry vehicle landings were operationally feasible. These missions were flown by Manke and Air Force Maj. Mike Love, and represented the final milestone in a program that helped write the flight plan for today's Space Shuttle program.

The X-24B was the last aircraft to fly in Dryden's Lifting Body program. The X-24B was flown 36 times.

The X-24B is on public display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

  • X-24B pilots
    • John A. Manke - 16 flights
    • Michael V. Love - 12 flights
    • William H. Dana - 2 flights
    • Einar K. Enevoldson - 2 flights
    • Thomas C. McMurtry - 2 flights
    • Francis Scobee - 2 flights

[edit] Specifications (Martin-Marietta X-24A)

[edit] General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
  • Wingspan: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m)
  • Wing area: 195 ft² (18.1 m²)
  • Empty: 6,360 lb (2,885 kg)
  • Loaded: 10,700 lb (4,853 kg)
  • Maximum takeoff: 11,447 lb (5,192 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 x Reaction Motors Upgraded XLR-11 four-chamber rocket engine. 8,480 lbf (37.7 kN) thrust.

[edit] Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,036 mph (1,667 km/h)
  • Range: 45 miles (72 km)
  • Service ceiling: 71,407 ft (21,763 m)
  • Rate of climb: ft/min (m/min)
  • Wing loading: 59 lb/ft² (288 kg/m²)
  • Thrust-to-Weight: 0.70

[edit] Specifications (Martin-Marietta X-24B)

[edit] General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
  • Wingspan: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m)
  • Wing area: 330 ft² (30.7 m²)
  • Empty: 8,500 lb (3,855 kg)
  • Loaded: 11,800 lb (5,350 kg)
  • Maximum takeoff: 13,800 lb (6,260 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 x Reaction Motors Upgraded XLR-11 four-chamber rocket engine. 8,480 lbf (37.7 KN) thrust.

[edit] Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,164 mph (1,873 km/h)
  • Range: 45 miles (72 km)
  • Service ceiling: 74,130 ft (22.59 km)
  • Climbing rate: ft/min (m/min)
  • Wing loading: 42 lb/ft² (205 kg/m²)
  • Thrust-to-Weight: 0.71

[edit] Serial number

  • 66-13551
    • X-24A, 28 free flights; 10 unpowered, 18 powered
    • X-24B, 36 free flights; 12 unpowered, 24 powered

[edit] X-24A flights

Vehicle
Flight #
Date Pilot Mach Velocity
km/h
Altitude
m
Duration Comments
X-24A #1 April 17, 1969 Gentry 0.718 763 13,716 00:03:37 First X-24A Flight
Unpowered glide
X-24A #2 May 8, 1969 Gentry 0.693 735 13,716 00:04:13 Unpowered glide
X-24A #3 August 21, 1969 Gentry 0.718 782 12,192 00:04:30 Unpowered glide
X-24A #4 September 9, 1969 Gentry 0.594 647 12,192 00:03:52 Unpowered glide
X-24A #5 September 24, 1969 Gentry 0.596 637 12,192 00:04:17 Unpowered glide
X-24A #6 October 22, 1969 Manke 0.587 623 12,192 00:03:58 Unpowered glide
X-24A #7 November 13, 1969 Gentry 0.646 687 13,716 00:04:30 Unpowered glide
X-24A #8 November 25, 1969 Gentry 0.685 731 13,716 00:04:26 Unpowered glide
X-24A #9 February 24, 1970 Gentry 0.771 819 14,326 00:04:18 Unpowered glide
X-24A #10 March 19, 1970 Gentry 0.865 919 13,533 00:07:04 1st powered flight
X-24A #11 April 2, 1970 Manke 0.866 919 17,892 00:07:15 -
X-24A #12 April 22, 1970 Gentry 0.925 982 17,587 00:06:48 -
X-24A #13 May 14, 1970 Manke 0.748 795 13,594 00:08:33 Only 2 chambers lit
X-24A #14 June 17, 1970 Manke 0.990 1,051 18,593 00:07:12 -
X-24A #15 July 28, 1970 Gentry 0.938 996 17,709 00:06:28 -
X-24A #16 August 11, 1970 Manke 0.986 1,048 19,477 00:06:53 -
X-24A #17 August 26, 1970 Gentry 0.694 737 12,649 00:07:59 Only 2 chambers lit
X-24A #18 October 14, 1970 Manke 1.186 1,262 20,696 00:06:51 1st supersonic flight
X-24A #19 October 27, 1970 Manke 1.357 1,447 21,763 00:06:57 Highest flight
X-24A #20 November 20, 1970 Gentry 1.370 1,456 20,604 00:07:12 -
X-24A #21 January 21, 1971 Manke 1.033 1,093 17,648 00:07:42 -
X-24A #22 February 4, 1971 Powell 0.659 700 13,716 00:03:55 Unpowered glide
X-24A #23 February 18, 1971 Manke 1.511 1,606 20,544 00:07:27 -
X-24A #24 March 8, 1971 Powell 1.002 1,064 17,343 00:07:17 -
X-24A #25 March 29, 1971 Manke 1.600 1,667 21,488 00:07:26 Fastest flight
X-24A #26 May 12, 1971 Powell 1.389 1,477 21,610 00:07:03 Delayed engine start
X-24A #27 May 25, 1971 Manke 1.191 1,265 19,903 00:09:08 Only 3 chambers lit
X-24A #28 June 4, 1971 Manke 0.817 867 16,581 00:08:37 Only 2 chambers lit
Last flight

[edit] X-24B flights

Vehicle
Flight #
Date Pilot Mach Velocity
km/h
Altitude
m
Duration Comments
X-24B #1 August 1, 1973 Manke 0.640 740 12,192 00:04:12 First X-24B Flight
Unpowered glide
X-24B #2 August 17, 1973 Manke 0.650 723 13,716 00:04:27 Unpowered glide
X-24B #3 August 31, 1973 Manke 0.716 797 13,716 00:04:37 Unpowered glide
X-24B #4 September 18, 1973 Manke 0.687 724 13,716 00:04:31 Unpowered glide
X-24B #5 October 4, 1973 Love 0.704 742 13,716 00:04:39 Unpowered glide
X-24B #6 November 15, 1973 Manke 0.930 962 16,082 00:06:44 1st powered flight
X-24B #7 December 12, 1973 Manke 0.646 1,038 19,227 00:07:14 -
X-24B #8 February 15, 1974 Love 0.696 734 13,716 00:05:07 Unpowered glide
X-24B #9 March 5, 1974 Manke 1.086 1,139 18,390 00:07:17 1st supersonic flight
X-24B #10 April 30, 1974 Love 0.876 930 15,862 00:06:59 -
X-24B #11 May 24, 1974 Manke 1.140 1,212 17,062 00:07:28 -
X-24B #12 June 14, 1974 Love 1.228 1,304 19,968 00:06:45 -
X-24B #13 June 28, 1974 Manke 1.391 1,481 20,772 00:07:07 -
X-24B #14 August 8, 1974 Love 1.541 1,645 22,366 00:06:35 -
X-24B #15 August 29, 1974 Manke 1.098 1,170 22,080 00:07:47 -
X-24B #16 October 25, 1974 Love 1.752 1,873 21,991 00:06:57 Fastest flight
X-24B #17 November 15, 1974 Love 1.615 1,722 21,964 00:08:01 -
X-24B #18 December 17, 1974 Love 1.585 1,667 20,964 00:07:00 -
X-24B #19 January 14, 1975 Manke 1.748 1,862 22,185 00:07:57 -
X-24B #20 March 20, 1975 Love 1.443 1,537 21,450 00:06:49 -
X-24B #21 April 18, 1975 Manke 1.204 1,279 17,648 00:07:30 -
X-24B #22 May 6, 1975 Love 1.444 1,542 22,372 00:07:28 -
X-24B #23 May 22, 1975 Manke 1.633 1,745 22,586 00:07:41 Highest flight
X-24B #24 June 6, 1975 Love 1.002 1,786 21,976 00:07:54 -
X-24B #25 June 25, 1975 Manke 1.343 1,427 17,678 00:07:06 -
X-24B #26 July 15, 1975 Love 1.585 1,685 21,178 00:06:55 -
X-24B #27 August 5, 1975 Manke 1.190 1,244 18,288 00:07:00 1st runway landing
X-24B #28 August 20, 1975 Love 1.548 1,625 21,946 00:07:00 2nd runway landing
X-24B #29 September 9, 1975 Dana 1.481 1,593 21,641 00:07:15 -
X-24B #30 September 23, 1975 Dana 1.157 1,255 17,678 00:07:18 Last powered flight
X-24B #31 October 9, 1975 Enevoldson 0.705 724 13,716 00:04:11 Unpowered glide
X-24B #32 October 21, 1975 Scobee 0.686 744 13,716 00:04:15 Unpowered glide
X-24B #33 November 3, 1975 McMurtry 0.702 734 13,716 00:04:08 Unpowered glide
X-24B #34 November 12, 1975 Enevoldson 0.702 734 13,716 00:04:01 Unpowered glide
X-24B #35 November 19, 1975 Scobee 0.700 740 13,716 00:04:09 Unpowered glide
X-24B #36 November 26, 1975 McMurtry 0.713 740 13,716 00:04:05 Unpowered glide
Last flight

[edit] Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft: M2-F1 - M2-F2 - M2-F3 - HL-10

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Related content
Related Development
Similar Aircraft

Northrop HL-10

Designation Series

X-21 - X-22 - X-23 - X-24 - X-25 - X-26 - X-27

Related Lists

List of experimental aircraft

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