Military Aircraft
Overview
The Grumman X-29 was an experimental aircraft developed to test forward-swept wing technology and advanced control systems. Designed as a research platform, it demonstrated innovative materials and fly-by-wire control. The aircraft provided valuable aerodynamic data during its test program.
Live Fleet Activity (X29)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × General Electric F404 turbofan
- Engine type
- Turbofan
- Thrust
- 16,000 lbf · 71 kN
- Avionics
- Litton LR-80 AHRS, Magnavox AN/ARC-164 UHF, Teledyne RT-1063B/APX-101V IFF/SIF
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 53 ft 10 in · 16.40 m
- Tail height
- 14 ft 3 in · 4.35 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 7 in · 1.10 m
- Wing span
- 27 ft 2 in · 8.29 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 17,800 lb · 8,050 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 4,000 lb · 1,800 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 590 gal · 2,200 L · 1,800 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 956 kt · 1,100 mph · 1,771 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 350 nm · 400 mi · 650 km
- Fuel burn
- 0.45 nm/gal · 0.22 km/L
- Ceiling
- 55,000 ft · 16,800 m
- Rate of climb
- —
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
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Operational Context
Grumman X-29 — forward-swept wing research aircraft
The X-29 first flew in 1984 as part of a joint research effort involving NASA and the U.S. Air Force. Its forward-swept wing configuration required advanced composite materials to withstand aerodynamic loads. The aircraft relied on digital fly-by-wire controls to maintain stability.
Powered by a General Electric F404 turbofan producing approximately 16,000 pounds of thrust (71 kN) with afterburner, the X-29 achieved speeds near Mach 1.8. Maximum takeoff weight was roughly 18,000 pounds (8,165 kg). The aircraft carried no operational armament.
The X-29 program expanded understanding of unstable aerodynamic configurations. Data gathered influenced later fighter development and materials research. Although it did not enter production, it remains a notable experimental aircraft of the 1980s.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.