X-29 | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Experimental aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Grumman |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | United States Air Force |
Number built | 2 |
History | |
First flight | 14 December 1984 |
The Grumman X-29 is an American experimental aircraft that tested a forward-swept wing, canard control surfaces, and other novel aircraft technologies. Funded by NASA, the United States Air Force and DARPA, the X-29 was developed by Grumman, and the two built were flown by NASA and the United States Air Force.[1] The aerodynamic instability of the X-29's airframe required the use of computerized fly-by-wire control. Composite materials were used to control the aeroelastic divergent twisting experienced by forward-swept wings, and to reduce weight. The aircraft first flew in 1984, and two X-29s were flight tested through 1991.