Most advances in aviation technology come in the form of experimental aircrafts. Most jet fighters have gained some incredible power, gadgets, and other armaments to pulverize the enemy thanks to experimental technology, and also the incredible vision of engineers and cold steel of the test pilots. But do you know how they are classified ? This is a game of letters, starting with “X” – at least in the USA. The “X” series is for pure experimental design. The first one was the Bell X-1, which broke the sound barrier. Also notable are the North American X-15 which went up to Mach 6, the Lockheed X-35 that became the F-35, and more recently the X-50 Dragonfly and X-51 scramjet. Although the technology can be applied to various types of jet fighters and other aircrafts, they are “X” planes, so purely experimental in design.
Then there are the XA aircrafts, or experimental attack aircrafts. These planes date mostly from before World War II, and the series of experimental attack aircrafts designed after that were named XF (at first it was XP, for experimental pursuit, then XF for experimental fighter). The first of these XF was the Thunderscreech by Republic, which turned out as the F-84 Thunderjet. The XF-104 became the legendary “widow maker”, Starfighter. Most of these XF planes offered fundamentals breakthrough in aviation technology, but unfortunately most of these were cancelled due to lack of funds.
Then you have the XB series, for experimental bombers. From the North American B-25 to the XB-70 Valkyrie. The B-32 was developed in parallel with the B-29, and the XB-45 served as a base for the B-47. Some prototypes took to the skies, but some remained just on paper, like the XB-53, a proposed jet-powered medium bomber aircraft, designed by Convair for the United States Army Air Force.
Other aircrafts don’t have this “X” classification. It is because they mostly concern space projects and developments, and most of them simply have names or acronyms. Among them: the AstroFlight Sunrise, what a cool name…. It was designed in the early 70s to be an electric aircraft demonstrator. For the story, it flew 28 times before crashing because of turbulences. Also, do you know the Inflatoplane? An inflatable aircraft – yes, not joking – designed by rubber company Goodyear in 1956, and the thing actually flew. The famous Tacit Blue was another of them, as well as NASA Pathfinder.
Other countries do not have this specific classification, which is specific to the USA. The “X” factor remains something very special. Including in aviation.
JFR is your guide to fly a jet fighter.
