Overview
This entry covers a gallery image that appears to show a subscale flying-wing test model — a small-scale model of a flying-wing aircraft used for aerodynamic testing, radar cross-section testing, or concept demonstration. The image's specific programme attribution, date, and provenance cannot be verified from the image alone.
Subscale test models are used throughout aircraft development to validate design assumptions before committing to full-scale construction. Flying-wing models are used in wind tunnels, radar cross-section test ranges, and free-flight testing to measure aerodynamic performance, stealth characteristics, and handling qualities.
Types of Subscale Testing
Subscale flying-wing models are used in several types of testing:
Wind tunnel testing: Models are tested in wind tunnels to measure aerodynamic forces, pressures, and flow patterns. Wind tunnel models are typically 5-20% of full scale and are instrumented with pressure taps and force balances. Major US wind tunnel facilities include the NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC).
Radar cross-section (RCS) testing: Models are tested in RCS ranges to measure their radar signature. RCS models are typically built to precise tolerances and tested at radar frequencies scaled to match the model scale. RCS testing is essential for validating the stealth characteristics of aircraft designs.
Free-flight testing: Subscale radio-controlled models are flown to test the handling qualities and flight characteristics of aircraft designs. Free-flight models are typically 10-30% of full scale and are instrumented with sensors to measure flight parameters.
Concept demonstration: Subscale models are built to demonstrate aircraft concepts to potential customers, investors, or programme managers. These models may be display models or flying demonstrators.
Flying-Wing Development
The flying-wing configuration has been developed through extensive subscale testing:
- Jack Northrop's N-9M: The N-9M was a 1/3-scale piloted test aircraft built by Northrop in 1942 to validate the design of the XB-35 flying-wing bomber. The N-9M was used to test the aerodynamic and handling characteristics of the flying-wing configuration before committing to full-scale construction.
- B-2 development: Subscale models of the B-2 Spirit were tested in wind tunnels and RCS ranges during the 1980s to validate the aircraft's aerodynamic and stealth characteristics.
- B-21 development: Subscale models of the B-21 Raider are believed to have been tested during the aircraft's development in the 2010s.
- UCAV development: Subscale models of the X-47, X-45, and other UCAV designs were tested in wind tunnels and free-flight before full-scale construction.
Declassification and Provenance
The gallery image is from a legacy compilation whose CIA-P2 catalog number is a legacy identifier and does not establish CIA authorship, declassification, or provenance. The image's presence in the compilation does not constitute evidence that the depicted model is part of a CIA programme, a classified programme, or a specific named research effort.
The image should be treated as an unverified photograph of a subscale flying-wing test model of unknown programme attribution.
References
- NASA. "Aeronautics Test Program." NASA programme information.
- Arnold Engineering Development Complex. "AEDC Test Facilities." US Air Force.
- Northrop Grumman. "B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider." Company product information.
- Cole, William. "Subscale Testing for Aircraft Development." AIAA Journal of Aircraft.