X-44 Manta Stealth Fighter Described in 3 Words

Never Flew: Concepts in the X-44 Manta may have influenced the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Domination (NGAD) program, which is developing a sixth-generation fighter jet to replace the F-22.

-Like the X-44, the NGAD is expected to feature a tailless, wedge-shaped design and integrate advanced technologies, including unmanned “loyal wingman” drones equipped with customizable weapons and systems.

-The X-44 MANTA serves as a reminder of the innovative concepts that, if pursued further, could have accelerated modern stealth aircraft development.

X-44 MANTA: The Stealth Fighter That Could Change Aviation History

The F-22 Raptor entered the service of the US Air Force as the world’s first fifth-generation platform. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin planned to develop an off-shoot in order to improve the design and capabilities of the stealth aircraft. The proposed new tailless aircraft design was essentially another Raptor but designed as a main aircraft with extended delta wings.

Like the F-22, this new variant was intended to have a twin, side-by-side turbofan engine layout with thrust vectoring, but without the F-22’s outward vertical tail fins.

while X-44 Manta While it never came to fruition, elements of the platform may survive in the service’s next-generation combat platforms.

History of the X-44 Manta

At the height of the Cold War, the race to develop more advanced aerial platforms was at its peak. The Air Force launched the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program during this period to conceptualize replacement platforms for the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Although these jets were relatively new, analysts predicted that Soviet progress in surface-to-air missile systems would soon erode their combat effectiveness. In addition, the USSR had made its own promotion. Sukhoi Su-27 Wingman and the Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum platforms, which have proven to be highly capable.

The ATF program aimed to create an air superiority platform that would remain relevant for years to come. platform It will have to incorporate new technologies such as composite materials, advanced flight control systems and avionics, and super cruise speed, among other improvements.

Introducing the Possible F-22 Raptor Variant

Lockheed’s Skunk Works division developed the YF-22 prototype in the late 1980s after collaborating with Boeing and General Dynamics. The Raptor prototype would make its first flight in 1990. Soon came the announcement that Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed had been selected to build the engine and airframe, respectively.

Since the F-22 was under development, a heavily modified version of the platform was conceptualized as follows: X-44 MANTA (Multi-Axis, Tailless Aircraft). Heavily derived from the Raptor, the X-44 had a reduced radar signature thanks to its tailless design and lack of vertical stabilizers. It is crucial to maintain the smallest radar signature possible to avoid detection by enemy aircraft. This feature could be improved by eliminating the tail and rudder surfaces, instead using thrust vectors to provide pitch and roll control.

While these changes could result in an extremely agile airframe, they would likely be more challenging for pilots to fly.

X-44 It was designed to carry an array of powerful weapons. The aircraft was required to have a single 20 mm internal gun and was capable of firing two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The jet can also carry up to six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which can be equipped with two 1,000 GBU-32 Joint Direct Munitions.

What replaced the X-44 Manta program?

manta program It was canceled in 2000 before even a single production prototype was built.

The Air Force is now working to develop the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program over the next decade. The new aircraft is expected to replace the service’s current F-22 Raptor fleet, and it is possible that the X-44 was used in part to conceptualize the sixth-generation platform.

Like the X-44, the NGAD will have a wedge-shaped, tailless design. aspect system family, It will focus on a crewed sixth-generation fighter accompanied by a number of “loyal wingman aircraft”. These unmanned UAVs, which the Air Force calls Mass Combat Aircraft, will be much cheaper than the jets they will fly alongside. Additionally, they will be equipped with a range of weapons and other tactical systems that can be customized according to the mission.

As the race to produce the world’s first sixth-generation airframe continues, it is worth remembering the X-44 Manta. Perhaps if Washington had allowed the X-44 program to move forward years ago, NGAD would have been an easier platform to develop.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya CarlinHe is a National Security Writer for National Interest, an analyst at the Center for Security Policy, and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. He has columns in many publications such as The National Interest, Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel. You can follow him on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

Image: Creative Commons.