The Bell XV-15 was an American tiltrotor VTOL research aircraft, the second successful experimental tiltrotor and the first to demonstrate the concept's high-speed performance relative to conventional helicopters. The program began in 1971 at NASA Ames Research Center, and after a review of two proposals NASA selected Bell's Bell 301 design and issued a research contract on 31 July 1973. Two XV-15 aircraft were built, the first, N702NA, flying on 3 May 1977, and they were tested at Bell, at NASA Ames and at NASA Dryden. One crashed on 20 August 1992 while flown by a guest test pilot, and the other, after retirement from test operations, was donated to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The experience gained led to the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey.
Facts
Engine Class Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) Maximum Mass (kg) EngineTwo Textron Lycoming LTC1K-4K turboshaft / turboprop engines 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Of Make
Source Bell XV-15 (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Bell XV-15 (Wikipedia)
Flight testing, first flight
The first of two Bell XV-15s, tail number N702NA, first flew on 3 May 1977.
Specifications (XV-15), empty weight
Empty weight: 9,570 lb (4,341 kg)
Specifications (XV-15), maximum takeoff weight
Max takeoff weight: 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) STO
Specifications (XV-15), maximum speed
Maximum speed: 332 kn (382 mph, 615 km/h) at 17,000 ft (5,182 m)
Flight testing, aircraft built
The first of two Bell XV-15s, tail number N702NA, first flew on 3 May 1977.
Specifications (XV-15), powerplant, turboprop mode
Powerplant: 2 × Textron Lycoming LTC1K-4K turboshaft / turboprop engines, 1,550 shp (1,160 kW)
Lead, aircraft description
The Bell XV-15 is an American tiltrotor VTOL aircraft.
Flight testing, retirement
After N703NA was retired from test operations, it was donated to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Lead, builder
After a review of both proposals, NASA selected the Bell 301 for further development, and a contract for further R&D was issued on 31 July 1973.
Lead, country
The Bell XV-15 is an American tiltrotor VTOL aircraft.
In Group: Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research Aircraft, Lead, role of the aircraft
The Bell XV-15 is an American tiltrotor VTOL aircraft.
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