Scaled Composites 'Model 401' ...

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Scaled Composites fa un annuncio a sorpresa ...

 

Scaled is proud to announce that this morning was the first flight of our newest experimental aircraft, Model 401!

The aircraft that took flight today is the first of a pair of vehicles built to demonstrate advanced, low-cost manufacturing techniques and provide aircraft for research flight services.

The two vehicles were designed to be identical in outer mold line and performance, with each aircraft powered by a single Pratt & Whitney JTD-15D-5D engine with 3045 lbs. of thrust.

The vehicles are capable of flying Mach 0.6 with a service ceiling of 30,000 feet and have a wingspan of 38 feet and are 38 feet long.

They have an empty weight of 4,000 pounds and a maximum take-off weight of 8,000 pounds with an endurance of up to three hours.

Aaron Cassebeer, Project Engineer said, “This is such an exciting time for us. Scaled is at the forefront of experimental aircraft development and I am fortunate enough to have a front row seat.”

He went on to say this about the mission, “Today was a great day for our test team. We had a great flight and we are looking forward to the future test program.”

This successful first flight is the beginning of the flight test phase for vehicle number 1.

We plan to continue envelope expansion on the first aircraft as we move toward first flight of the second Model 401 vehicle.

 

 

Inoltre ...

 

Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites debuted a new experimental aircraft, Model 401, in an Oct. 11 announcement of the prototype’s recent first flight.

The company has built two Model 401 prototypes in service of an undisclosed customer “to demonstrate advanced, low-cost manufacturing techniques and to provide aircraft for research flight services to industry partners and the United States government,” it said in a news release.

Both Model 401 planes measure 38 feet long with a 38-foot wingspan, and have an empty weight of 4,000 pounds.

The aircraft, which are powered by a Pratt & Whitney JTD15D-5D engine, can reach Mach 0.6 and fly up to three hours at a time. Its maximum takeoff weight is 8,000 pounds.

Fonte: defensenews.com ... Scaled Composites reveals mysterious new ‘Model 401’ prototype ...

 

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A qualche mese di distanza dalla rivelazione ... emergono nuovi dettagli ... nonché il nickname 'Son of Ares' ...

 

Since Scaled Composites first unveiled their exotic Model 401 experimental aircraft last October the jet has been spending substantial time in the sky.

Yet still, few photos of it publically exist.

Now, with exclusive new images obtained by The War Zone, we not only get a unique view of this mysterious flying machine, but we also discover some of its special features.

But what's most exciting is the images unmask the program's cryptic nickname and hint at what its mission might be.

Fonte: http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/19935/exclusive-images-unmask-name-of-scaled-composites-mysterious-model-401-son-of-ares-jet

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Il misterioso jet stealth di Scaled Composites è arrivato a Patuxent River ...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27297/scaled-composites-stealthy-mystery-jet-is-now-at-the-navys-top-flight-test-base