McDonnell Douglas Bird of Prey

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McDonnell Douglas Bird of Prey
Boeing Bird of Prey USAF.jpg
Bird of Prey at the USAF Museum
Type: Experimental airplane
Design country:

United StatesUnited States United States

Manufacturer:
First flight:

1996

Commissioning:

Flight tests ended in 1999

Production time:

Was never mass-produced

Number of pieces:

1

The Bird of Prey (bird of prey) was an experimental aircraft made by McDonnell Douglas (since 1997: Boeing ) for the US Air Force. Development cost US $ 67 million and began in 1992. A total of 38 test flights were completed between 1996 and 1999. The machine was designed as a float , which consisted of only one part of composite material . The structural design had stealth features that were realized through the external shape, the materials and a completely new air inlet. The aircraft was developed only for technical demonstrations and studies.

Many of the technologies developed have been incorporated into the Boeing X-45 program for an unmanned combat aircraft.

Boeing 'Bird of Prey' in the 'National Museum of the United States Air Force'
Boeing 'Bird of Prey' engine outlet

Technical specifications

  • Wingspan: 7.01 m
  • Length: 13.32 m
  • Powerplant: 1 Pratt & Whitney JT15D -5 at 14.2 kN
  • Weight: 3,360 kg
  • Top speed: 480 km / h
  • Service ceiling: 6,100 m
  • Crew: 1 pilot

See also

Web links

Commons : Boeing Bird of Prey  - collection of images, videos and audio files