Martin Marietta X-24
American experimental aircraft / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Martin Marietta X-24 was an American experimental aircraft developed from a joint United States Air Force-NASA program named PILOT (1963–1975). It was designed and built to test lifting body concepts, experimenting with the concept of unpowered reentry and landing, later used by the Space Shuttle.[1] Originally built as the X-24A, the aircraft was later rebuilt as the X-24B.
This article is about the experimental aircraft. For the aeroplane engine, see X24 engine.
Quick Facts X-24, Role ...
X-24 | |
---|---|
The X-24B in flight | |
Role | Lifting body |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Martin Marietta |
First flight |
|
Retired | 26 November 1975 |
Primary users | United States Air Force NASA |
Number built | 1 (X-24A, rebuilt as X-24B) |
Developed from | X-23 PRIME |
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The X-24 was drop launched from a modified B-52 Stratofortress at high altitudes before igniting its rocket engine; after expending its rocket fuel, the pilot would glide the X-24 to an unpowered landing.[2][3]