The Williams X-Jet, created by Williams International, was a small, single-person, light-weight, Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft powered by a modified Williams F107turbofanaircraft engine — designated WR-19-7 — after some minor modifications. The vehicle was nicknamed "The Flying Pulpit" for its shape. It was designed to carry one operator and to be controlled by leaning in the direction of desired travel and by modulating engine output power. It could move in any direction, accelerate rapidly, hover and rotate on its axis, stay aloft for up to 45 minutes and travel at speeds up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). It was evaluated by the United States Army in the 1980s, but was deemed inferior to the capabilities of helicopters and small, uncrewed aircraft, and so the development of the X-Jet was discontinued.
One of the three original proof-of-concept prototypes of the Williams X-Jet, on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight.X-Jet viewed from the side
Other VTOL systems developed by Williams International included a jet-powered flying belt, developed in 1969, which was powered by a Williams WR19 turbofan, and X-Jet's predecessor, the WASP I (Williams Aerial Systems Platform), which was developed in the 1970s and was powered by the more powerful WR19-9 BRP5, rated at 670 lbf (2.98 kN) thrust and a specific fuel consumption of 0.47 lb/lbf·h (13.31 g/kN·s).
U.S. Patent 4,447,024 was issued for the Williams X-Jet. Technical information and drawings are available at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The WASP II uses a slightly modified and derated version of the WR-19-A7D, yielding 600 lbf thrust from its micro turbofan engine and is designated WR19-7, rated at 570 lbf thrust, after minor modifications and said derating. Modifications to the WR-19-A7D included accessories — replacement of pyro starter with electric/air start — and exhaust system modifications. No internal modifications to the counter-rotating micro turbofans were performed. The first crewed, untethered flight was conducted in April 1980. Ray Le Grande is one of the WASP II operators trained by Williams International to fly the X-Jet.
The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines, by Richard A. Leyes II and William A. Fleming (ISBN1-56347-332-1 Copyright 1999)
August 22, 2023
williams, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2014, learn, when, remove, . This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Williams X Jet created by Williams International was a small single person light weight Vertical Take Off and Landing VTOL aircraft powered by a modified Williams F107 turbofan aircraft engine designated WR 19 7 after some minor modifications The vehicle was nicknamed The Flying Pulpit for its shape It was designed to carry one operator and to be controlled by leaning in the direction of desired travel and by modulating engine output power It could move in any direction accelerate rapidly hover and rotate on its axis stay aloft for up to 45 minutes and travel at speeds up to 60 miles per hour 97 km h It was evaluated by the United States Army in the 1980s but was deemed inferior to the capabilities of helicopters and small uncrewed aircraft and so the development of the X Jet was discontinued One of the three original proof of concept prototypes of the Williams X Jet on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight X Jet viewed from the sideOther VTOL systems developed by Williams International included a jet powered flying belt developed in 1969 which was powered by a Williams WR19 turbofan and X Jet s predecessor the WASP I Williams Aerial Systems Platform which was developed in the 1970s and was powered by the more powerful WR19 9 BRP5 rated at 670 lbf 2 98 kN thrust and a specific fuel consumption of 0 47 lb lbf h 13 31 g kN s U S Patent 4 447 024 was issued for the Williams X Jet Technical information and drawings are available at the United States Patent and Trademark Office The WASP II uses a slightly modified and derated version of the WR 19 A7D yielding 600 lbf thrust from its micro turbofan engine and is designated WR19 7 rated at 570 lbf thrust after minor modifications and said derating Modifications to the WR 19 A7D included accessories replacement of pyro starter with electric air start and exhaust system modifications No internal modifications to the counter rotating micro turbofans were performed The first crewed untethered flight was conducted in April 1980 Ray Le Grande is one of the WASP II operators trained by Williams International to fly the X Jet Contents 1 Specifications X Jet 2 See also 3 Notes 4 ReferencesSpecifications X Jet EditData from citation needed General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 3 ft 0 91 m approx Height 4 ft 0 in 1 22 m Empty weight 401 lb 182 kg Gross weight 550 lb 249 kg Powerplant 1 Williams F107 turbofan engine 570 lbf 2 5 kN thrust modified Performance Maximum speed 52 kn 60 mph 96 km h Endurance 30 45 minutes Service ceiling 10 000 ft 3 000 m Thrust weight 1 11See also EditAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Hiller VZ 1 PawneeNotes EditReferences EditDisplay information at Museum of Flight in Seattle Washington Guardian article nationalmuseum af mil The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines by Richard A Leyes II and William A Fleming ISBN 1 56347 332 1 Copyright 1999 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Williams X Jet amp oldid 1156660620, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
