Flight Planning and Conduct of the X-15A-2 Envelope Expansion Program
Abstract
After having been extensively damaged during an emergency landing on its thirty-first flight (November 9, 1962), the X-15-2 aircraft was rebuilt and modifications were incorporated to increase the vehicle performance capability to allow flight testing of a hypersonic ramjet engine. The increased performance was derived from additional propellants contained in two external drop tanks. The modified propellant system with the external tanks was satisfactorily developed on a ground test stand and performed adequately during flight. The ablative material developed to protect the aircraft against temperatures exceeding the original aircraft design appeared to perform satisfactorily on the two fully coated flights flown. On the last flight of this aircraft, the vehicle achieved a maximum Mach number of 6.7.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0856451
Entities
People
- Johnny G. Armstrong
Organizations
- Air Force Test Center