X-10

Specifications

Company- North American Aviation
Type- Navaho cruise missile components.
Goals- Testbed for Navaho intercontinental cruise missile components.
Primary Testing Facility Research- Edwards AFB
Dimensions- Span- 28 ft, 2 in; Length- 71 ft, 0 in; Height: 14 ft, 5 in
Max Speed- Mach 2.0+
Range- 850 miles
Max Altitude- 44,800 feet
Power Plant- Two Westinghouse XJ40-WE-1 turbojets with afterburners
Thrust- 20,000 lbf
Weights- Fully Loaded: 38,000 lbs
Payload- N/A
Flights- 15
Number of Prototypes Built- 13
Project Tenure- 1955-1959
Project Status- Cancelled

Information

The X-10 was a supersonic research vehicle used to gather data on aerodynamic design, control, and automatic guidance systems in the development of the SM-64 "Navaho" intercontinental winged guided missile. Powered by two turbojet engines the pilotless X-10 was radio-controlled in the initial stages of the test program. Many later flights were preprogrammed using autonavigation system. The X-10's design featured a low, delta wing configuration, twin vertical fins, and nose-mounted canard surfaces for pitch control. Retractable landing gear and a drag chute permitted recovery and re-use for further flight testing.

The X-10 was first flown on October 14, 1053 at Edwards AFB, California. Many additional test flights were conducted, first at Edwards AFB, and later at Patrick AFB, Florida. However, the X-10 research project was halted when the "Navaho" program was cancelled in 1957. The 27th and last X-10 flight took place on February 4, 1957. Although 13 X-10s were built, there is only one vehicle still known to be in existence.

** Information provided by X-Plane Data Site **