Northrop X-21

E20316

The Northrop X-21 was an experimental U.S. jet aircraft of the 1960s designed to test laminar-flow control technology for improved aerodynamic efficiency.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
X-21 1

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf experimental aircraft
jet aircraft
research aircraft
aircraftCategory fixed-wing aircraft
aircraftConfiguration twin-engine jet
aircraftType subsonic aircraft
airframeOrigin Douglas C-47 Skytrain
surface form: Douglas DC-3 derivative
airIntakeLocation underwing engine nacelles
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
crew 2
designation Northrop X-21 self-linksurface differs
surface form: X-21
designedFor improved aerodynamic efficiency
laminar-flow control technology testing
engineConfiguration underwing pods
engineType turbofan
era 1960s
firstFlightDate 1963
fullName Northrop X-21 self-link
landingGearType tricycle landing gear
manufacturer Northrop Grumman
surface form: Northrop Corporation
notableFeature extensive wing suction system
highly instrumented research aircraft
numberBuilt 2
operatorType military research organization
powerplantCount 2
primaryRole aerodynamic research
laminar-flow control testbed
programGoal demonstrate practical laminar-flow control on a transport-type wing
programOutcome technology demonstrator
programSponsor NASA
United States Air Force
programType X-plane program
propulsionType jet
registrationType military experimental designation
researchDomain aerodynamics
boundary-layer control
researchFocus drag reduction
fuel efficiency improvement
high-Reynolds-number laminar flow
researchUser NASA
status retired
tailConfiguration conventional tail
testEnvironment flight testing
usedBy United States Air Force
wingFeature boundary-layer suction
laminar-flow control system
perforated wing surface
wingPosition low-wing configuration

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Northrop X-21 designation Northrop X-21 self-linksurface differs
this entity surface form: X-21
Northrop X-21 fullName Northrop X-21 self-link