Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA (Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft)

[Maveric]

Hi all,

two views of the Lockheed Martin X-44.
( Source: FliegerRevue )

Servus Maveric

 

[Triton]

Model of Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA (Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft) concept from the Chad Slattery X Plane Model Collection.

Source:
http://home.earthlink.net/~chadslattery/id63.html

 

[seruriermarshal]

Any hi-res X-44 Artist's concept ? thanks

 

[ikke666]

Maybe this will help :

http://history.nasa.gov/monograph31.pdf

 

[sienar]

Source;

nozzle selection and design criteria - Kimerius Aircraft

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

There's a dearth of info on this project. :-\

 

[Stargazer]

Some more pics:

 

[Avimimus]

The last picture looks like crude fan-art (modification of Austin Meyer's X-Plane simulator's F-22 with the textures distorted in the process?)

I'm curious about the first picture though - it shows a design with a vertical tail. Was a more conservative X-44 test bed planned or is this something else? What is the source of the first picture? Thanks.

 

[Stargazer]

I'm curious about the first picture though - it shows a design with a vertical tail. Was a more conservative X-44 test bed planned or is this something else? What is the source of the first picture? Thanks.

I'm doubtful. I've traced the origin of the picture and it can be found on Flickr. It's on the page of a guy called Gregory Hughes, with no comment, no details. Possibly even a picture which he himself found elsewhere and reposted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23975488@N06/9635806146/

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Maybe it was confused with FB-22 concept before it got fat wings.

 

[Avimimus]

Thanks.Yeah, I was thinking something like that. The question is - is it an official image or something someone cooked up in an afternoon without LM's involvement?

 

[flateric]

Last one

 

[Stargazer]

The question is - is it an official image or something someone cooked up in an afternoon without LM's involvement?

Last one

If so, I guess I can remove the picture and perhaps the last string of comments could be moved to the "Theoretical..." section, along with the photo?

 

[flateric]

You have photo of official X-44A model from Chad Slattery collection.
You have X-44A model photos in Lockheed photographer Erik Simonsen's photo collages - that X-44A seems to should have use one of YF-22A as a basis.
All other images in this thread are non-official.

 

[Stargazer]

All other images in this thread are non-official.

Doesn't mean they're not of interest if they are based on the genuine design (or adapted from the official model, like most of them).

Certainly not official are these pics of the resin model (and the same pics reworked) but they are interesting in that they show angles not seen in other pics.

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

So, what exactly was the other X-44?

 

[GTX]

So, what exactly was the other X-44?

This I believe:

 

[Mr London 24/7]

We have a thread for the X-44:

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/lockheed-martin-x-44.2401/

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Thanks!

 

[BESTUZHEV]

Hi,
My favorite plane is x-44 manta, and i have two 3d printers and my skills in fusion 360 are good.
Of course, i want to create a model of x-44, but i didn't find ANY normal drawings.
If any have drawing of it, please share!

 

[leaded50]

found these..

 

[BESTUZHEV]

Thanks

 

[flateric]

...

 

[F-2]

I’m curious about manta, especially in relation to sixth gen aircraft. Besides radar reflection what could the advantages be?

It’s much more simple, the only moving parts should be the engine, weapons bay, and gear. Could be built both larger and potentially lighter, and carry more fuel. Lack of a tail and control surfaces would seem to lower drag. It seems like an all around improvement, is it viable?

 

[X-39]

OG colorized artist impression & grayscale: