Sep 21 1974
From The Space Library
The prototype West German, British, and Italian multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) made its first public flight, lifting off from Manching, West Germany. The aircraft-product of three nations' combining technological and anionic resources to develop one model to fulfill six combat roles, from low-level attack to high-altitude air superiority-demonstrated its variable-geometry wing in the short flight. Fully extended, the wing made short takeoff and landing possible. Moved back at a 25° angle to the fuselage, it provided top speed of more than mach 2. Final decision on whether to produce the MRCA would follow 12 mos of testing. (Morris, LA Times, 22 Sept 74, 1A)
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