Schweizer X-26 Frigate

Schweizer Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1968 · light aircraft

The Schweizer X-26 Frigate was a military adaptation of the Schweizer SGS 2-32 sailplane used by the United States Navy for quiet surveillance and special operations research during the Vietnam War era. It was a powered motor-glider variant with a small engine for self-launching.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.92 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Unpowered sailplane — no engine
US Navy silent reconnaissance glider used in Vietnam
Schweizer SGS 2-32 adapted for quiet surveillance

A slender high-aspect-ratio glider airframe with long straight wings and a conventional tail; the graceful sailplane lines contrast sharply with purpose-built military aircraft.

Specifications

The Schweizer X-26 Frigate has a length of 7.92 m (26 ft).
It has a wingspan of 17.37 m (57 ft).
Its maximum speed is 254 km/h (158 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The US Navy procured the X-26A (unpowered SGS 2-32) and X-26B (powered version) for Project Quiet Star, evaluating quiet aircraft for behind-the-lines observation in Vietnam. The powered X-26B used a small Continental engine for self-launch. The programme demonstrated the potential of low-noise aircraft for clandestine surveillance.

Variants

The X-26A was the pure glider variant; the X-26B added a small piston engine for self-launch capability.

Where you'll see it

Used by the US Navy in very small numbers for special research programmes; not a mainstream operational type.

Related aircraft

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