Boeing X-32A

Type (Muster)
Experimental prototype for new strike fighter (Versuchsmuster für einen neuen Jagdbomber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Boeing (Military Aircraft and Missile Systems Group)
PO Box 3707
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207
USA

Phone: 001-206/662-0949
Fax: 001-206/662-0660

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1

Weapons (Bewaffnung): The Boeing JSF normally has two side fuselage weapons bays for the carriage of two 450 kg bombs and two AIM-120C AMRAAMS, with growth capability for two 900 kg bombs and the AMRAAMs. In the X-32, only one bay is functional.

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney JSF119-614 turbofan (F119-PW-100 derivative with scaled-up fan and additional low-pressure turbine stage). Rectangular nozzle with pitch vectoring capability.
Thrust (Schub): 1 x ca. 178 kN (40000 lbs) maximum. For short take-offs and vertical landings, thrust is redirected through two swivelling nozzles in the center of gravity (à la Harrier).

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 13,7 m
Span (Spannweite): 11,0 m (9,15 m in the STOVL variant)
Wing area: 55 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): around 9000 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): around Mach 1.5

Customers (Kunden)
Two demonstrators have been built under the 1996 Pentagon Concept Demonstration Program:
* X-32A: baisc model with larger wing, used to thest both USAF and Navy versions
* X-32B: representing the STOVL variant with clipped wings and Rolls-Royce lift module fitted (swivelling nozzles etc.)
It is anticipated that the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine corps as well as the UK Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have a requirement for around 3000 aircraft of the winning JSF contender. A similar number could be sold to export customers over the long term. See details under Boeing JSF.

Costs (Kosten)
A 661,8 million US-Dollar contract for a 51 month concept demonstration programme was awarded to Boeing on 16. November 1996.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Lockheed Martin X-35

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The two X-32 are acting as flying demonstrators for Boeings JSF proposal, which will be submitted in February 2001. They differ from the final PWSC design in having delta wings and no horizontal tails. Also, the air intake is raked forward.
The parts for the X-32s were manufactured at various Boeing facilities in the Seattle area (wing etc.) and at St. Louis (forward fuselage) and then assembled at Palmdale (former Rockwell plant). The build process demonstrated lean techniques and featrued extensive use of computer aided design and manufacturing. Lead times and work hours were drastically cut compared to earlier programmes like F-22.

History (Geschichte)
In November 1996, Boeing and Lockheed Martin were downselected over McDonnell Douglas for the further development of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). One part of the Concept Demonstration Program was the manufacture of two flying testbeds.
The initial design review was passed in September 1997, and fabrication of the first mid-fuselage components was then started in the fourth quarter. The forebody module was begun at St. Louis in July 1998, one month ahead of schedule.
Assembly of the mid-fuselage began at Palmdale in August 1998, with the final assembly of the X-32A then getting under way in April 1999.
Proof loading of the X-32A was completed in in October 1999, by which time the X-32B was also nearly finished.
A formal unveiling ceremony of both aircraft took place on 14 December 1999 at Palmdale. At that time, first flights were expected in the spring and mid-2000 (X-32B).
Initial low- and medium-speed taxi tests of the X-32A were completed at the end of May 2000. They verified function and integration of aircraft systems, including steering, braking, engine controls and flight-control surfaces when the airplane is in motion. "The engine and all on-board systems performed just as we had expected, based on the static tests we completed in April," said Boeing X-32 flight test manager Ad Thompson. "The aircraft performed so well at 30 knots, that we were able to move directly to the medium-speed taxi test at 55 knots."
Detail modifications kept the aircraft on the ground until 18 September 2000, when the X-32A concept demonstrator made its initial flight, flying from Palmdale and landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. During the flight, Boeing JSF Chief Test Pilot Fred Knox put the X-32A through some initial airworthiness tests, including flying qualities and sub-systems checkout. "The airplane is a pleasure to fly," Knox said. "It is already showing the precise handling qualities we expected based on the simulator work." Flight time was just over 20 minutes, as there was some leaking fluid.
Hampered by problems with its hydraulic system, the X-32A did manage to complete around 14 hours in 22 flights by 20 November 2000. Among them were the first field carrier landing practice missions on a simulated deck outlined on the runway at Edwards AFB. High speed flights, air-refuelling etc. is still to come.
Meanwhile, the X-32B has started engine runs at Palmdale. Delays, mainly due to software upgrades, have pushed its first flight to the end of February 2001.

Last updated 1 December 2000

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