The Bell X-5 is an American experimental jet aircraft that first flew in 1951, built as the first aircraft in the world capable of changing the sweep angle of its wings in flight, a design derived from an unfinished German Messerschmitt project captured at the end of the Second World War. Flown by NASA's predecessor agency and the United States Air Force to study how variable wing sweep affects an aircraft's handling and performance at different speeds, it provided data that influenced later variable-sweep military aircraft designs.
Facts
SignificanceFirst aircraft capable of changing the sweep of its wings during flight. 1 Manufacturer or BuilderBell Aircraft Corporation 1 In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Bell X-5, Wikipedia
Infobox, First flight
First flight 20 June 1951
Infobox, Manufacturer
Bell Aircraft Corporation
Lead section
The Bell X-5 was the first aircraft capable of changing the sweep of its wings in flight.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.