Dictionary of Meaning

<<Back
Please select a letter:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9

X-26 Frigate

*** Shopping-Tip: X-26 Frigate
__NOTOC__ The X-26 is a sailplane and is the longest-lived of the X-plane programs.

Development

The X-26A was used by the U.S. Navy (USN) to train test pilots in the condition of yaw/roll coupling. Since jet trainers were known to be dangerous in this condition, the X-26 was based on the Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Schweizer SGS 2-32|SGS 2-32 sailplane. Sailplanes react much slower and are easier to control than jet aircraft, making the X-26 a much safer training platform. Four aircraft were originally ordered. Three of the original planes crashed. The USN purchased a replacement for each of the crashed units.

Operational History

The X-26B were X-26As modified with a Continental Continental O-200 engine and Continental O-200 engine and propeller._These aircraft were designed to test stealth observation techniques for aircraft during the Vietnam War. Two of the X-26As were modified for the program. They were tested in Vietnam successfully. The Lockheed YO-3 Quiet Star|YO-3A Quiet Star program continued the research begun by the X-26B. After the completion of their part of the program, the X-26Bs were de-modified and returned to the USN. The USN continues to use the X-26A in the training program at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

Specifications (X-26A Frigate)

{{airtemp| |plane or copter?=plane |jet or prop?=prop |crew=two |length main=26 ft 9 in |length alt=7.92 m |span main=57 ft 1.5 in |span alt=17.37 m |height main=9 ft 3 in |height alt=2.74 m |area main=180 ft² |area alt=16.7 m²)

Rate of sink: 0.6 m/s (120 ft/min) |range main= miles |range alt= km |ceiling main= ft |ceiling alt= m |climb rate main= ft/min |climb rate alt= m/s |loading main=39 kg/m² |loading alt=7.9 lb/ft² |power/mass main= 0.07 hp/lb |power/mass alt= 0.12 kW/kg }}

References

[http://history.nasa.gov/monograph31.pdf American X-Vehicles] (.pdf)

Related content

{{aircontent| |related= Schweizer SGS 2-32 - Army-Lockheed YO-3A |similar aircraft= Scheibe SF25C |sequence= Martin-Marietta X-23|X-23 - Martin-Marietta X-24|X-24 - Bensen X-25 - X-26 - Lockheed X-27 - X-28 Sea Skimmer|X-28 - Grumman X-29 |lists= |see also= List of experimental aircraft }}

*** Shopping-Tip: X-26 Frigate