Jul 12 1976
From The Space Library
First flight tests of a unique oblique-wing aircraft model designed for future supersonic use would begin early in Aug. at the Dryden Flight Research Center, NASA announced. The remotely piloted research vehicle (RPRV) to be tested had a wingspan of 6.7 m, weighed 400 kg, and was powered by a 4-cylinder 90-hp engine; its wing angle relative to the fuselage could be varied during flight, and angles up to 45° would be tested. The RPRV would be flown by radio control from a ground cockpit, with a TV camera in the aircraft nose giving the ground controller a pilot's-eye view. Use of the oblique wing was a proposal of Dr. Robert T. Jones, senior scientist at Ames Research Center, to alleviate sonic boom and increase energy effectiveness of supersonic aircraft; positioned at right angles to the fuselage in slower flight, the wing would allow landing and takeoff with minimum power and less noise, but rotated with respect to the fuselage it would provide the high speed possible with the swept wing design. Studies indicated possible fuel savings even at speeds up to 1600 kph. (DFRC Release 13-76)
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