X-49A Go's Ahead on HighSpeed 220Knot Tests

[CAMike]

Saw this X49A clip today. In lieu of our present economic situation and improving on existing technology -this set up might actually fly. The dash speed of 220 Knots tests are just on the horizon. Spec Ops/SEAL Team applications? Thought I'd share the link to the video. Hopefully the ducted fan noise can be reduced. Your thoughts? Is this a dead deal before it even starts?

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blog...79a7Post:e44b7412-5c09-4b48-80ac-3d3f5b563a48

 

[sundevil_av8r]

what would be the need for something like this?

 

[Junkball]

The Black Helicopters are out there!

That sure did look unwieldy on lift off

 

[lowflier03]

Reading the press releases and such it supposedly requires less torque in a hover and less torque at a given airspeed versus conventional tail rotor. The extra airspeed would be nice for NSW inserts/extracts and not that we'll ever do one, but CSAR as well. Plus look at the wing area, maybe it would convince the Navy to finally pull the trigger on forward firing ordnance. (Not likely)