The General Dynamics X-62 VISTA ("Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft")[2] is an experimental aircraft, derived from the F-16D Fighting Falcon, which was modified as a joint venture between General Dynamics and Calspan for use by the United States Air Force (USAF). Originally designated NF-16D, the aircraft was redesignated X-62A on 14 June 2021 as part of an upgrade to a Skyborg, with System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS).[3]
The NF-16D (now X-62A) VISTA in 2019 under a new paint scheme designed by Mike Machat
The NF-16D VISTA testbed aircraft incorporated a multi-axis thrust vectoring (MATV) engine nozzle that provides for more active control of the aircraft in a post-stall situation. As a result, the aircraft is supermaneuverable, retaining pitch and yaw control at angles of attack beyond which the traditional control surfaces cannot change attitude.[citation needed]
The NF-16D VISTA is a Block 30 F-16D based on the airframe design of the Israeli Air Force version, which incorporates a dorsalfairing running the length of the fuselage aft of the canopy and a heavyweight landing gear derived from the Block 40 F-16C/D. The fairing houses most of the variable-stability equipment and test instrumentation. The heavyweight gear permits simulation of aircraft with higher landing sink rates than a standard F-16.[citation needed]
The VISTA aircraft is now operated by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and maintained by Calspan at Edwards Air Force Base. It is regularly used in student curriculum sorties, special academic projects, and flight research.[3] As of 14 June 2021 VISTA is in the midst of upgrading. In addition to replacing the VISTA Simulation System (VSS) with a newer, upgraded version of the same system, a System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS) will be added in order to operate X-62A as a Skyborg. One application is as autonomously piloted aircraft, perhaps as robotic wingman to a manned aircraft.[3]
^Simonsen, Erik (2016). A Complete History of U.S. Combat Aircraft Fly-Off Competitions. Forest Lake, MN: Specialty Press. p. 159. ISBN978-1-58007-227-4.
^Thuloweit, Kenji (20 March 2019). "New VISTA paint scheme gets artist's approval". Robins Air Force Base. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
^ abcdCasem, Giancarlo (30 July 2021). "NF-16D VISTA becomes X-62A, paves way for Skyborg autonomous flight tests". DVIDS. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
^. Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Dynamics F-16 VISTA.
VISTA gets a new look
January 12, 2023
general, dynamics, vista, variable, stability, flight, simulator, test, aircraft, experimental, aircraft, derived, from, fighting, falcon, which, modified, joint, venture, between, general, dynamics, calspan, united, states, force, usaf, originally, designated. The General Dynamics X 62 VISTA Variable Stability In flight Simulator Test Aircraft 2 is an experimental aircraft derived from the F 16D Fighting Falcon which was modified as a joint venture between General Dynamics and Calspan for use by the United States Air Force USAF Originally designated NF 16D the aircraft was redesignated X 62A on 14 June 2021 as part of an upgrade to a Skyborg with System for Autonomous Control of Simulation SACS 3 X 62 VISTAThe General Dynamics VISTA MATV NF 16DRole Experimental aircraftManufacturer General Dynamics later Lockheed Martin and CalspanFirst flight April 1992 1 Primary user United States Air ForceNumber built 1Developed from General Dynamics F 16 Fighting FalconX 62A remains on the curriculum of the Air Force Test Pilot School as a practice aircraft for test pilots 3 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Specifications 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDesign and development Edit The NF 16D now X 62A VISTA in 2019 under a new paint scheme designed by Mike Machat The NF 16D VISTA testbed aircraft incorporated a multi axis thrust vectoring MATV engine nozzle that provides for more active control of the aircraft in a post stall situation As a result the aircraft is supermaneuverable retaining pitch and yaw control at angles of attack beyond which the traditional control surfaces cannot change attitude citation needed The NF 16D VISTA is a Block 30 F 16D based on the airframe design of the Israeli Air Force version which incorporates a dorsal fairing running the length of the fuselage aft of the canopy and a heavyweight landing gear derived from the Block 40 F 16C D The fairing houses most of the variable stability equipment and test instrumentation The heavyweight gear permits simulation of aircraft with higher landing sink rates than a standard F 16 citation needed The program was notable for the development of Direct Voice Input and the Virtual HUD which were both eventually to be incorporated into the cockpit design for the F 35 Lightning II 4 The VISTA aircraft is now operated by the U S Air Force Test Pilot School and maintained by Calspan at Edwards Air Force Base It is regularly used in student curriculum sorties special academic projects and flight research 3 As of 14 June 2021 VISTA is in the midst of upgrading In addition to replacing the VISTA Simulation System VSS with a newer upgraded version of the same system a System for Autonomous Control of Simulation SACS will be added in order to operate X 62A as a Skyborg One application is as autonomously piloted aircraft perhaps as robotic wingman to a manned aircraft 3 Specifications Edit Data from USAF fact sheet 5 AerospaceWeb 6 General characteristicsCrew 2 pilot and safety pilot 7 Length 48 ft 7 in 14 8 m Wingspan 32 ft 2 in 9 8 m Height 15 ft 9 in 4 8 m Wing area 300 sq ft 28 m2 Airfoil NACA 64A204 root and tip Empty weight 18 238 lb 8 273 kg Gross weight 26 463 lb 12 003 kg Max takeoff weight 42 300 lb 19 187 kg Powerplant 1 General Electric F110 GE 100 afterburning turbofan 16 600 lbf 74 kN thrust dry 28 200 lbf 125 kN with afterburnerPerformance Maximum speed 1 170 kn 1 350 mph 2 170 km h At sea level Mach 1 2 915 mph 1 460 km h At altitude Mach 2 dd dd Ferry range 2 800 nmi 3 200 mi 5 200 km with 3 370 US gal 1 401 L drop tanks Service ceiling 50 000 ft 15 000 m Rate of climb 50 000 ft min 250 m s Wing loading 88 2 lb sq ft 431 kg m2 Thrust weight 1 095See also EditRelated development General Dynamics F 16 Fighting Falcon General Dynamics F 16XLAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Rockwell MBB X 31References Edit Simonsen Erik 2016 A Complete History of U S Combat Aircraft Fly Off Competitions Forest Lake MN Specialty Press p 159 ISBN 978 1 58007 227 4 Thuloweit Kenji 20 March 2019 New VISTA paint scheme gets artist s approval Robins Air Force Base Retrieved 24 December 2021 a b c d Casem Giancarlo 30 July 2021 NF 16D VISTA becomes X 62A paves way for Skyborg autonomous flight tests DVIDS Retrieved 24 December 2021 F 16 Versions F 16 VISTA MATV NF 16D F 16 USAF fact sheet F 16 page on aerospaceweb org Code One Magazine Vista F 16 January 1991 Archived from the original on 2009 10 20 Retrieved 2009 09 11 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Dynamics F 16 VISTA VISTA gets a new look Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title General Dynamics X 62 VISTA amp oldid 1126028441, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
