The most unusual aircraft in the world. The most unusual aircraft The latest aircraft in the world

22.05.2020

It's amazing just what aircrafts can be assembled with a lot of effort, creativity and a lot of money. I bring to your attention a selection of unusual and sometimes rather strange aircraft.

NASA's M2-F1 project was nicknamed the "flying bath". The developers saw its main purpose in use as a capsule for landing astronauts. The first flight of this wingless aircraft took place on August 16, 1963, and exactly three years later on the same day, the last one took place:

Remote controlled. From mid-1979 to January 1983, two remotely piloted HiMAT vehicles were tested at NASA Air Force Base. Each aircraft was about half the size of the F-16, but had almost twice the maneuverability. At a transonic speed of sound at an altitude of 7500 m, the device could make a turn with an overload of 8 g, for comparison, the F-16 fighter at the same heights can withstand an overload of only 4.5 g. At the end of the research, both devices were saved:

Tailless. The McDonell Douglas X-36 prototype aircraft, built for one purpose: to test the flying abilities of tailless aircraft. It was built in 1997 and, as conceived by the developers, could be controlled remotely from the ground:

Crooked. Ames AD-1 (Ames AD-1) - experimental and the world's first oblique wing aircraft Ames Research Center and Burt Rutan. It was built in 1979 and made its first flight on December 29 of the same year. Tests were carried out until the beginning of 1982. During this time, AD-1 mastered 17 pilots. After the closure of the program, the aircraft was placed in the Museum of the city of San Carlos, where it is still located:

With rotating wings. The Boeing Vertol VZ-2 is the world's first aircraft using the concept of a rotary wing, vertical/short takeoff and landing. The first vertical takeoff/hover flight was made by the VZ-2 in the summer of 1957. After a series of successful tests, the VZ-2 was transferred to the NASA research center in the early 60s:

The largest helicopter In connection with the needs of the Soviet national economy and the armed forces in the design bureau. M. L. Mil in 1959 began research on a super-heavy helicopter. On August 6, 1969, an absolute world record for lifting cargo was set on the MI V-12 helicopter - 40 tons to a height of 2,250 meters, which has not been surpassed to date; in total, 8 world records were set on the B-12 helicopter. In 1971, the B-12 helicopter was successfully demonstrated at the 29th International Aviation and Space Salon in Paris, where it was recognized as the “star” of the salon, and then in Copenhagen and Berlin. B-12 is the heaviest and most lifting helicopter ever built in the world:

Flying saucer. The VZ-9-AV Avrocar is a VTOL aircraft developed by the Canadian company Avro Aircraft Ltd. The development of the aircraft began in 1952 in Canada. November 12, 1959 made the first flight. In 1961, the project was closed, as officially stated due to the inability of the "plate" to get off the ground above 1.5 meters. In total, two Avrocar devices were built:

Fighter in the form of a flying wing Northrop XP-79B, equipped with two jet engines, was built in 1945 by the American company Northrop. It was assumed that he would dive on enemy bombers and break them, chopping off the tail section. On September 12, 1945, the aircraft made its only flight, which ended in disaster after 15 minutes of flight:

The plane is a spaceship. The Boeing X-48 (Boeing X-48) is an American experimental unmanned aerial vehicle, created jointly by Boeing and NASA. The device uses one of the varieties of the flying wing. July 20, 2007 he first rose to a height of 2300 meters and landed after 31 minutes of flight. The X-48B was the best invention of 2007 according to the Times.

Futuristic. Another NASA project - NASA Hyper III - an aircraft created in 1969:

Experimental aircraft Vought V-173. In the 1940s, the American engineer Charles Zimmerman created an aircraft with a unique aerodynamic design, which still continues to amaze not only with its unusual appearance, but also with its flight characteristics. For his unique appearance, he was awarded many nicknames, among which was "Flying Pancake". It became one of the first vertical/short takeoff and landing vehicles:

Descended from heaven. The HL-10 is one of five NASA Flight Research Center aircraft used to study and test the ability to safely maneuver and land on a low lift-to-drag craft after it returned from space:

Reverse sweep. Su-47 "Berkut" - a project of the Russian carrier-based fighter, developed in the OKB. Sukhoi. The fighter has a reverse swept wing; composite materials are widely used in the airframe design. In 1997, the first flying copy of the Su-47 was built, now it is experimental:

Striped. The Grumman X-29 is a forward-swept prototype aircraft developed in 1984 by Grumman Aerospace Corporation (now Northrop Grumman). In total, two copies were built by order of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency:

Take off vertically. The LTV XC-142 is an American experimental tilt-wing VTOL transport aircraft. He made his first flight on September 29, 1964. Five aircraft built. The program was discontinued in 1970. The only surviving copy of the aircraft is on display at the US Air Force Museum:

Caspian Monster. "KM" (Layout Ship), also known abroad as the "Caspian Monster" - an experimental ekranoplan developed in the design bureau of R. E. Alekseev. The ekranoplan had a wingspan of 37.6 m, a length of 92 m, and a maximum takeoff weight of 544 tons. Before the appearance of the An-225 Mriya aircraft, it was the heaviest aircraft in the world. Tests of the "Caspian Monster" took place in the Caspian for 15 years until 1980. In 1980, due to a pilot error, the KM crashed, there were no casualties. After that, operations to restore or build a new copy of the CM were not carried out:

Air whale. Super Guppy is a transport aircraft for transporting oversized cargo. Developer - Aero Spacelines. Issued in the amount of five copies in two modifications. First flight - August 1965. The only flying "air whale" belongs to NASA and is operated to deliver large-sized products for the ISS:

Pointy-nosed. The Douglas X-3 Stiletto is an American experimental monoplane aircraft manufactured by Douglas. In October 1952, the first flight of the Douglas X-3 aircraft took place:

For flights to the moon. This descent module, built in 1963, was part of the Apollo project, the goal of which was the first manned landing on the moon. The module was equipped with one jet engine:

Rotorcraft. Sikorsky S-72 - experimental helicopter. The first flight of the S-72 was made on October 12, 1976. The flight of the upgraded S-72 took place on December 2, 1987, but after the following three flights, funding was discontinued:

Airplane-rocket. The Ryan X-13A-RY Vertijet is an experimental VTOL jet aircraft developed in the United States in the 1950s. The developer is Ryan. The customer is the US Air Force. In total, two such aircraft were built:

Lunar module. Another VTOL descent module, built in 1964, was part of the Apollo project, the goal of which was the first manned landing on the moon.

When they start classifying objects or phenomena, they look for the main, most common features, properties that serve as evidence of their relationship. Along with this, they also study such signs that would sharply distinguish them from each other.

If, following this principle, we begin to classify modern aircraft, then the first question will arise: what features or properties of aircraft are considered the most important?

Maybe you can classify them based on the materials from which the devices are made? Yes, you can, but it will be a little visual. After all, from different materials you can do the same thing. Aluminium, steel, wood, linen, rubber, plastics in tone or to another extent are used in the manufacture of airplanes, and helicopters, airships, and balloons.

It may be the basis for the classification of aircraft to choose: when and by whom was the device made for the first time? It can be classified in historical terms - this is an important question, but then devices dissimilar in many respects, proposed at the same time and in the same country, will fall under one rubric.

Obviously, these signs for classification should not be considered the most important.

Due to the fact that aircraft are designed to move in the air, they are usually divided into devices lighter than air and apparatus heavier than air. So, the basis for the classification of aircraft is their weight in relation to the air.

We see that apparatuses lighter than air include airships, Balloons and stratostats. They rise and stay in the air by filling them with light gases. Heavier-than-air vehicles include airplanes, gliders, rockets, and rotorcraft.

The aircraft and glider are supported in the air by the lift generated by the wings; rockets are kept in the air by the thrust force developed by the rocket engine, and rotorcraft - by the lifting force of the main rotor. There are (so far in projects) devices that occupy an intermediate position between airplanes and rotorcraft, airplanes and missiles. These are the so-called convertible planes, or convertible planes, which should combine the positive properties of both of them and combine huge flight speeds with the ability to hover in the air, the ability to take off without a run and land without a run.

A helicopter, like an autogyro, belongs to the category of rotary-wing aircraft. Their difference lies in the fact that the main rotor of the gyroplane is not connected to the engine and can rotate freely.

The main rotor of a helicopter (or several main rotors), in contrast to the main rotor of an autogyro, is driven by an engine during takeoff, flight and landing and serves both to create lift and thrust. The aerodynamic force created by the propeller is used both to keep the helicopter in the air and to move it forward. In addition, the main rotor is also the control element of the helicopter.

If a propeller or a jet engine creates thrust in an aircraft, wings create lift, and rudders and ailerons serve as controls, then in a helicopter, all these functions are performed by the main rotor. From this it becomes clear how important the value of the main rotor in a helicopter is.

Helicopters differ from each other in the number of rotors, in their location, in the way the rotation is driven. In accordance with these signs, the helicopters depicted are divided.

Planes and helicopters are not the only aircraft that can be seen in the sky. And in our today's review, you can collect 7 of the best and most unusual aircraft that were really created on our planet at different times.

1. Spacecraft - NASA "M2-F1"

NASA "M2-F1" is an unusual aircraft that was designed specifically for use by astronauts in space research. This aircraft made its first flight back in August back in 1963.

2. American fighter - Northrop XP-79B

The Northrop XP-79B is an American fighter aircraft manufactured by Northrop back in 1945. Unfortunately, this model took off only once and was able to stay in the sky for 15 minutes, after which it crashed.

3. Futuristic aircraft - Hyper III

Hyper III is perhaps the most unusual aircraft that was designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration research space center back in 1969.

4. Test aircraft - Vought V-173

The Vought V-173 is an American test aircraft designed by engineer Charles Zimmerman. The main feature of this model is vertical takeoff and short landing. It is worth noting that for unusual appearance the aircraft was named the Flying Pancake.

5. Flight module, part of the Apollo project

This flight module is part of the Apollo project, which was designed specifically for the first landing on the moon. It is worth noting that this model was equipped with one jet engine, however, it was able to successfully complete its mission.

6. Flying saucer - VZ-9-AV Avrocar

The VZ-9-AV Avrocar is an unusual flying saucer made in Canada by Avro Aircraft Ltd. The aircraft made its first flight in 1961, but unfortunately the project did not meet the expectations of the creators and was soon closed.

7. First aircraft - Boeing Vertol VZ-2

The Boeing Vertol VZ-2 is the first aircraft to use vertical, short takeoff and landing. This copy made its first flight back in the middle of 1957, and after it successfully passed all the tests, it was transferred to the NASA research center.

And fans of military aviation should definitely take a look at

And in our today's review, you can collect 7 of the best and most unusual aircraft that were really created on our planet at different times.

1. Spacecraft - NASA "M2-F1"

Unusual space aircraft called - NASA "M2-F1".

NASA "M2-F1" is an unusual aircraft that was designed specifically for use by astronauts in space research. This aircraft made its first flight back in August back in 1963.

2. American fighter - Northrop XP-79B

Unsuccessful copy of the American fighter called - Northrop XP-79B.

An unusual spacecraft called - Hyper III.

Hyper III is perhaps the most unusual aircraft that was designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration research space center back in 1969.

4. Test aircraft - Vought V-173

Functional aircraft called - Vought V-173.

The Vought V-173 is an American test aircraft designed by engineer Charles Zimmerman. The main feature of this model is vertical takeoff and short landing. It is worth noting that for its unusual appearance, the aircraft was called the Flying Pancake.

5. Flight module, part of the Apollo project

Unusual flying module.

Flying saucer called - VZ-9-AV Avrocar from Avro Aircraft Ltd.

Functional aircraft called - Boeing Vertol VZ-2.

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Turboprop Spacecraft Rotary Rocket Roton ATV

It was in this exotic way that the Rotary Rocket company tried in the 90s of the last century to overcome the basic limitations by significantly increasing the efficiency of their propulsors. And then, directly, some kind of trouble: single-stage chemical-fueled rockets cannot reach ... A real ruin. But, as was said in one good movie: "he who hinders us - he will help us!". And who's stopping us, except of course? Air!

They relied on the idea that turboprop engines have a significantly higher efficiency than purely jet and turbojet ones. And since one of the most energy-consuming areas is precisely piercing dense layers, is it possible to cheat at this stage?

The essence of the trick was that on the top of the pyramidal apparatus there was a screw, such as a helicopter (on the prototype, it was from a helicopter, for simplicity), which was driven (take a deep breath) from an annular rotating system of 72 liquid (kerosene + oxygen) engines, located in the traditional place for missiles - from below.

In a sense, a shaft passed through the entire apparatus from the propulsion system, spinning at 720 revolutions per minute (12 per second, for a moment) to the HB gearbox.

Well, apart from the HB drive, the designers decided in this way to drastically save on the mass of turbochargers (the supply of fuel components is carried out due to centrifugal force) and the stabilization system - the engine ring itself works as a gyroscope.

But that's not all - when landing, instead of traditional thermal protection, it was supposed to use a tricky scheme with water supply (!) Under the bottom of the ship, in order to significantly reduce the temperature due to the steam cushion and save on the mass of thermal protection (to be honest, I'm not sure about that this is a workable idea - it is not obvious which will be easier: traditional thermal protection or this entire water supply system along with its supply).

They expected that the 180-ton transport system will output to low payloads from 2700 to 3200 kg - and return safe and sound. Yes, yes, it was all planned reusable.

The main rotor - worked, in addition to the role of a parachute, on the final leg of the flight also with a soft landing system “according to a helicopter”, in this mode, of course, the main jet engines were no longer working (fuel and oxidizer burned out during takeoff), and the spin-up of the blades was supposed to be provided by small hydrogen peroxide jet engines at the ends of the blades.

Planned by the designers competitive advantage before the “aircraft” reusable systems was that no special conditions, like shuttles, capable of landing on only three (if memory serves) airfields in the world - the system was not required - any flat platform was suitable for landing on which the device was placed.

By the way, for take-off too - no special tricky designs were supposed, because no support systems are needed (the device stands on its own supports) - you just need a pit to remove the exhaust (relatively small at separation, the main thrust is created by the main rotor) - and that's all, actually.

In total, Rotary Rocket built several mock-ups and one flying prototype, the Roton C-9. Moreover, the prototype was on a 1:1 scale - about 20 meters high and 6.6 meters in diameter at the base. The propeller, however, let us down - they took it from a broken S-58, but since the initial tests were planned in the “landing” mode, without refueling and without a payload, a four-blade propeller with peroxide engines on the blades should have been enough for the flight. But - 20 times cheaper than the estimated cost of a special "space" rotor. And the helicopter propeller was enough, I must say.

In total, three flights of the pepelats were carried out, which showed that (a) it can fly, but (b) it is bad. There is no view, so much so that it is simply unsafe to fly (the pilots were guided only by the altimeter in height) and the handling is below the plinth.

And then the company went bust... Investors decided that there were no prospects, and $33 million was written off as a loss. The Rotary Rocket Roton C-9 is currently on display at the Aviation Museum, but without the helicopter propeller.

Unusual aircraft