Home | Update | Latest Issue | GALLERY | FR Inside | Datafiles
Boeing "Bird of Prey"
TypeTechnology demonstrator (Versuchsflugzeug)
Country (Land)
USA
Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Boeing (Phantom Works)
St. Louis, Missouri
General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C turbofan
Thrust (Schub): 1 x 12,9 kN (2900 lbs)
Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 14,3 m
Span (Spannweite): 7,0 m
Weights (Massen)
Max. take-off weigth (Max. Startmasse): 3355 kg
Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): 480 km/h
Operating altitude (Flughöhe): 6100 m
Costs (Kosten)
Boeing stated in 2002 that the project costs were 67 million US-Dollars.
Customers (Kunden)
None. The "Bird of Prey” was a company-funded demonstrator.
Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The "Bird of Prey” is a technology demonstrator Boeing used to pioneer "breakthrough low-observable technologies” and design and manufacturing advances like rapid prototyping, use of large, single piece composite structures, low-cost, disposable tooling and 3D virtual reality design and assembly procedures. The project stressed affordability as much as performance and quality. It was controlled with a mechanical system.
The X-32 JSF and the X-45A UCAV draw on the technologies developed by "Bird of prey”. The latter especially is close in fuselage shape and air inlet design.
History (Geschichte)
The highly classified programme was run the be Boeing Phantom Works from 1992 through 1999. The first flight took place in the fall of 1996. "Bird of Prey” completed 38 flight tests.
The "Bird of Prey” was unveiled at St. Louis on 18 October 2002, "because the technologies and capabilities developed have become industry standards and it is no longer necessary to conceal the aircraft´s existence”.
Home | Update | Latest Issue | GALLERY | FR Inside | Datafiles
Copyright 2002 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated 21 October 2002
FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany