Boeing X-45A
Boeing · United States · first flew 2002 · fighter
The Boeing X-45A was an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) technology demonstrator built to prove autonomous strike and air-defence-suppression concepts for the US Air Force and DARPA.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbofan, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.03 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- tailless blended flying-wing shape with no vertical fin
- single embedded engine with a flush dorsal intake
- sawtooth trailing edge typical of low-observable UCAV designs
A small tailless flying wing with a sharply swept leading edge, no vertical surfaces, and a featureless upper fuselage hiding its single engine.
Specifications
- The Boeing X-45A has a length of 8.03 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.31 m (34 ft).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 2002, the tailless, low-observable X-45A validated autonomous flight control, weapons release and multi-vehicle coordination, feeding directly into the larger X-45C and Navy UCAS-D programs.
Variants
Two X-45A demonstrator airframes were built; the enlarged X-45B/C designs followed but were cancelled before production.
Where you'll see it
Both X-45A prototypes flew a test campaign through the mid-2000s before retiring to museum display; the type never entered operational service.
Related aircraft
- Boeing YAL-1A Airborne Laser
- Boeing 777-300ER
- Boeing C-40A Clipper
- Boeing CH-47F Chinook
- T-50 Golden Eagle
- X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing
- BAE Systems Harrier GR.9
- British Aerospace Harrier II GR.9
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.