US AirForce Bird of Prey

[[AFSOC]]

http://www.af.mil/media/photodb/web/web_030715-O-9999E-001.jpg


FILE PHOTO -- The Bird of Prey served as a highly classified project from 1992 to 1999 before Boeing Co. officials unveiled it Oct. 18. It will become part of the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, on July 16. (Photo courtesy of Boeing Co.)



http://www.af.mil/media/photodb/photos/030715-O-9999E-001.jpg

Freaky dont ya think?

[Ratamacue]

Was it being designed as an unmanned fighter?

It's ugly.

[[AFSOC]]

Was it being designed as an unmanned fighter?


Dont think so...

Looks like there's a Pilot in the pic...

[FallenAngel]

Roger that- there IS a pilot for the craft. I am pretty sure that it was designed to test the concept of a "tailless" fighter. This might be connected with the initial plans for the bomber version of the F-22 to be a similar delta/tailess configuration.

[One?]

no wonder why people report UFOs.

[wholagun]

Where the heck are the engines on this puppy? ..

Aaaahhh that thing actually flies.. ;)

[96B]

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/photorelease/q4/dvd-227-001.jpg

High res link http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/photorelease/q4/high_res/dvd-227-001.jpg

http://i.timeinc.net/popsci/flat_files/space/space1102boeing_slideshow/space1102boeing_slide01.jpg

http://i.timeinc.net/popsci/flat_files/space/space1102boeing_slideshow/space1102boeing_slide02.jpg

[uniroad]

here is 'Bird of Prey' flying video..

http://video.boeing.com:8080/ram/events/lb03235_200.ram

very cute and exotic..


ST. LOUIS, October 18, 2002 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] today unveiled the "Bird of Prey," a technology demonstrator that pioneered breakthrough low-observable technologies and revolutionized aircraft design, development and production. The once highly classified project ran from 1992 through 1999, and was revealed because the technologies and capabilities developed have become industry standards, and it is no longer necessary to conceal the aircraft's existence.

specification..


Fully funded by Boeing, the Bird of Prey project costs $67 million. A subsonic, single-seat technology demonstrator, the aircraft completed 38 test flights as part of its flight-demonstration program. Its first flight took place in fall 1996. Bird of Prey has a wingspan of approximately 23 feet and a length of 47 feet, and weighs nearly 7,400 pounds. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C turbofan engine, the Bird of Prey has an operational speed of 260 knots and a maximum operating altitude of 20,000 feet.

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/q4/nr_021018m.html

[wholagun]

Roger that- there IS a pilot for the craft. I am pretty sure that it was designed to test the concept of a "tailless" fighter. This might be connected with the initial plans for the bomber version of the F-22 to be a similar delta/tailess configuration.

So, this is a bomber?
If so where are they going to put the payload, this plane is way too small to be a bomber. What is the purpose of the Prey?

[lekomin]

Well if u look at the Boeing UCAV (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle) designs you would see generaly the same airframe layout as with the Bird of Prey(minus the pilot of course ;) )You have the body that provides a fair amount of lift (adequately named "a lifting body concept".. experimented upon with some of the X series aircraft), no tail and short wings in the back. It's almost perfect stealth platform. You can load it up with 1000 lb JDAMs and Iran here we come.
take care
lekomin inc

[Early Chow Recruit]

This aircraft now hangs in the Airforce Museum in Dayton Ohio, right across from an F-22. There is also an X-45 UCAV parked on the floor surounded by a little nylon strap. The strap was put around the UCAV and the F-22 to keep people from getting poked by the pitot tubes and other pointy items.

Should one ever find themselves near Dayton and has a complete day to spend this is the place to go. The admission is free (this should be appealing to our liberal friends) and they have an example of just about every aircraft from the Wright Flyer to the Global Hawk.

The Clint

[HumanShield]

looks like a damn paper airplane... :roll:

[96B]

Its not supposed to carry any weapons, it is a technology demonstrator.

[ArmedPacifist]

That's no Bird of Prey


THIS is a Bird Of Prey
http://www.usu.edu/startrek/graphics/BofP1.JPG

[FallenAngel]

^ rofl

96B is right....this isn't a warplane, it's a tech demonstrator. The Technology it's demostrating will probably go into the next gen planes- such as the bomber version of the F22 ;)

[Kriz]

Bird of Prey, flying high ...