North American X-15
North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1959 · fighter
The North American X-15 was a hypersonic rocket-powered research aircraft that pushed the boundaries of aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and human physiology at speeds exceeding Mach 6 and altitudes qualifying as spaceflight. It remains the fastest crewed winged aircraft in history.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × rocket, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Distinctive wedge-shaped fuselage with tiny stub wings |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Rocket-powered hypersonic research aircraft
- Distinctive wedge-shaped fuselage with tiny stub wings
- Reaches the edge of space — Mach 6.7 maximum
The X-15 is unmistakable: an extremely slender, nearly cylindrical black fuselage with tiny trapezoidal wings and large ventral and dorsal fins, carried aloft by a B-52 mothership before igniting its rocket engine.
Specifications
- The North American X-15 has a length of 14.99 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.81 m (22 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 7274 km/h (4520 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed jointly by NASA, the USAF, and the US Navy, the X-15 made 199 flights between 1959 and 1968, with pilots including Neil Armstrong. Two flights exceeded 100 km altitude, qualifying their pilots as astronauts. The programme generated data that directly influenced the Space Shuttle design.
Variants
Three aircraft were built; the X-15A-2 was modified with external propellant tanks and ablative coating to reach Mach 6.7, while the third aircraft was rebuilt after a landing accident.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively as a research aircraft by NASA and the US Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base; never used operationally and not exported.
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