Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA

E530955

The Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA was a conceptual experimental aircraft design exploring a tailless, thrust-vectoring configuration to improve maneuverability and stealth.

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf concept aircraft design
experimental aircraft concept
unbuilt aircraft
acronymExpansion Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft NERFINISHED
aircraftType fighter aircraft concept
airframeBasis derivative of F-22 Raptor airframe concept
alsoKnownAs Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft NERFINISHED
X-44 MANTA NERFINISHED
category X-series aircraft concepts
configuration tailless aircraft
controlMethod elimination of conventional elevators
elimination of conventional horizontal stabilizer
elimination of conventional rudder
elimination of conventional vertical stabilizer
full thrust-vector control
controlSurfaces reliance on thrust vectoring instead of tail surfaces
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
customer United States Air Force NERFINISHED
designCharacteristic internal weapons carriage (conceptual)
large delta-like wing planform (conceptual)
reduced control surface count
designFeature thrust vectoring
designGoal elimination of conventional tail surfaces
enhanced stealth characteristics
improved maneuverability
reduced radar cross-section
designInfluence Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor NERFINISHED
designRationale use engine thrust for pitch and yaw control instead of tail surfaces
developer Lockheed Martin Skunk Works NERFINISHED
documentationStatus limited public information
era 1990s
intendedRole air superiority fighter concept
technology demonstrator concept
manufacturer Lockheed Martin NERFINISHED
programOutcome no prototype constructed
remained at study phase
programType advanced tactical fighter derivative study
propulsionConcept twin-engine jet
relatedTo USAF advanced fighter technology studies
researchArea high-agility flight control
integrated flight and propulsion control
stealth optimization
tailless stability and control
status concept only
never built
never flown
stealthFeature reduced aerodynamic discontinuities from tail removal
tailConfiguration tailless
thrustVectoringType 3D thrust vectoring concept

Referenced by (2)

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

Lockheed Martin X-series hasPart Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA
Lockheed Martin X-series notableAircraft Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA