X-26 Frigate
The X-26 is a sailplane and is the longest-lived of the X-plane programs.
Development
The X-26A was used by the U.S. Navy (USN) to train test pilots in the condition of yaw/roll coupling. Since jet trainers were known to be dangerous in this condition, the X-26 was based on the Schweizer SGS 2-32 sailplane. Sailplanes react much slower and are easier to control than jet aircraft, making the X-26 a much safer training platform. Four aircraft were originally ordered. Three of the original planes crashed. The USN purchased a replacement for each of the crashed units.
Operational History
The X-26B were X-26As modified with a Continental O-200-A engine and propeller. These aircraft were designed to test stealth observation techniques for aircraft during the Vietnam War. Two of the X-26As were modified for the program. They were tested in Vietnam successfully. The Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star program continued the research begun by the X-26B. After the completion of their part of the program, the X-26Bs were de-modified and returned to the USN.
The USN continues to use the X-26A in the training program at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
Specifications (X-26A Frigate)
General characteristics<h3>- Crew: two
- Length: 26 ft 9 in (7.92 m)
- Wingspan: 57 ft 1.5 in (17.37 m)
- Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.74 m)
- Wing area: 180 ft² (16.7 m²)</li>
- Empty weight: 857 lb (389 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1430 lb (650 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Continental O-200A horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
- Maximum speed: 158 mph (254 km/h)</li>
- Range: miles (km)
- Service ceiling: ft (m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Wing loading: 39 kg/m² (7.9 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 0.07 hp/lb (0.12 kW/kg)
X-1 • X-2 • X-3 • X-4 • X-5 • X-6 • X-7 • X-8 • X-9 • X-10 • X-11 • X-12 • X-13 • X-14 • X-15 • X-16 • X-17 • X-18 • X-19 • X-20 • X-21 • X-22 • X-23 • X-24 • X-25 • X-26 • X-27 • X-28 • X-29 • X-30 • X-31 • X-32 • X-33 • X-34 • X-35 • X-36 • X-37 • X-38 • X-39 • X-40 • X-41 • X-42 • X-43 • X-44 • X-45 • X-46 • X-47 • X-48 • X-49 • X-50 • X-51
See also List of experimental aircraft
References
American X-Vehicles (.pdf)
Related content
Related development<h3>Schweizer SGS 2-32 - Army-Lockheed YO-3A
<h3>Comparable aircraft<h3>Scheibe SF25C<h3>Designation sequence<h3>X-23 - X-24 - X-25 - X-26 - X-27 - X-28 - X-29
<h3>See also<h3>List of experimental aircraft
Portions of this article are based on public domain text from NASA.
Categories
Glider aircraft | U.S. experimental aircraft 1960-1969 | U.S. sailplanes 1960-1969