The Rockwell HiMAT, designated RPRV-870, was a remotely piloted experimental aircraft built for a NASA programme on Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology. Rockwell International built two of them, and they were launched from a B-52 and flown by a pilot in a ground cockpit, with a TF-104G chase plane able to take over. The programme explored close-coupled canards, fully digital flight control, graphite and fibreglass composite construction, winglets and synthetic vision. Powered by one General Electric J85 turbojet, the vehicles first flew in 1979 and reached Mach 1.45. Testing finished in 1983 after 26 flights, and the two aircraft are now on display at the National Air and Space Museum and the Armstrong Flight Research Center.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) EngineGeneral Electric J85-GE-21 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Rockwell HiMAT (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Rockwell HiMAT (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Rockwell HiMAT (Wikipedia)
Lead, first flights
Their first flights took place in 1979
Lead
is an experimental remotely piloted aircraft
Specifications, powerplant
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J85-GE-21 turbojet
Specifications, empty weight
Empty weight: 3,370 lb (1,529 kg)
Specifications, performance
Maximum speed: 1,218 mph (1,960 km/h, 1,058 kn)
Lead, units built
Two aircraft were produced by Rockwell International.
Aircraft on display
The two HiMAT aircraft are now on display
Lead, programme
produced for a NASA program to develop technologies for future fighter aircraft
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, mode
an experimental remotely piloted aircraft
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