Shape:
Half-cone body (round top, flat
bottom) with blunt nose and three vertical tail fins.
Dimensions (m):
Length:
6.75
Width:
4.59
Height:
3.48
Engine:
XLR-11
Weight (kg):
2400 (with water ballast test tanks
full, 4100)
Construction:
Aluminum
Controls:
Thick elevon between each fin and
center fin for pitch and roll; split rudder on center fin
for yaw and speed brake
First flight:
December 22, 1966
Last flight:
July 17, 1970
Times flown:
37
Test pilots:
Bruce A. Peterson, Jerauld R. Gentry,
John A. Manke, William H. Dana, Peter Hoag
Cognizant:
LaRC (design)
NASA center:
FRC (flight testing)
Program manager:
John McTigue, FRC
Contractor:
Northrop Corporation, prime
Remarks:
Also used to simulate Shuttle
prototype approach and landing sequence.
Mode of operation:
Released in midair from under the
wing of a B-52.