Background: Development of the NASA Ames/Boeing Phantom Works X-36 Tailless Agility Research Aircraft began in 1994 after 5 years of joint research on tailless flight. Its purpose is to demonstrate the technologies for a more maneuverable and less observable fighter aircraft. Two 28-percent scale aircraft were built and flown 31 times (15 hrs 38 min) between first flight on 17 May 98 and program conclusion on 12 Nov 98. Demonstrated performance included reaching an altitude of 20,500 ft, speed of 206 KEAS, load of 4.86 g's, and an AOA of 40 degrees. Program cost was $21 million. DARPA will reportedly pursue an Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) program to develop data for future Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) with the residual X-36s.
Characteristics:
| Length, ft | 18.2 (over boom) | Wing Span, ft | 10.4 |
| Gross Weight, lbs | 1270 | Payload Weight, lbs | 0 |
| Fuel Capacity, lbs | 180 | Fuel Type | JP |
| Engine Make | Williams F112 | Power, lbs | 700 |
| Structure | Carbon epoxy and aluminum | ||
| Guidance | Navigation | ||
| Data Link(s) | Data Rate(s), kbps | ||
| Endurance, hrs | 0.7 | Radius, nm | |
| Max Speed, kts | 240 KEAS | Stall Speed, kts | |
| Altitude, ft | 20,500 | ||
| Takeoff Means | Conventional (runway reqd) | ||
| Navigation | Direct control | ||
| Landing Means | Conventional (runway reqd) | ||
Sensor(s): None