Ames / Scaled Composites AD-1
Ames Research Center / Scaled Composites · United States · first flew 1979 · light aircraft
The AD-1 (Ames Dryden-1) was a NASA research aircraft with a pivoting oblique wing that could rotate from 0° to 60° in flight, built by Scaled Composites to investigate the aerodynamic efficiency of the oblique-wing concept at transonic speeds. It was the first piloted oblique-wing aircraft to fly.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin podded turbojets on rear fuselage below tail |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- NASA oblique-wing research aircraft with pivoting single wing
- Asymmetric planform — wing rotates up to 60 degrees in flight
- Twin podded turbojets on rear fuselage below tail
Unmistakable due to the single wing pivoting asymmetrically — one side sweeps forward and the other sweeps back simultaneously; twin rear-fuselage engine pods and a conventional tail complete the unusual profile.
Specifications
- The Ames / Scaled Composites AD-1 has a length of 11.83 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.85 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 322 km/h (200 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Robert T. Jones at NASA Ames Research Center and built by Scaled Composites (then Rutan Aircraft Factory's spin-off), the AD-1 first flew in 1979 at NASA Dryden. It completed 79 flights through 1982, validating the oblique-wing concept and demonstrating stable flight across a range of sweep angles. The research informed later oblique-wing studies including unmanned concepts.
Variants
A single aircraft was built; no production variants.
Where you'll see it
Flown solely as a NASA research aircraft at Dryden Flight Research Center; retired in 1982 and now on display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.