Grumman X-29
The Grumman X-29 was an American experimental aircraft developed by Grumman and used for testing several novel aircraft technologies.
Grumman X-29 - American Aircraft and Warplanes - Experimental

Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Prototypes and Experimental 
Manufacturer: Grumman

Grumman X-29 Aircraft Overview

The Grumman X-29 was an experimental aircraft developed in the 1980s as a technology demonstrator by Grumman Aerospace Corporation (later acquired by Northrop Grumman). It was a unique and visually striking aircraft due to its forward-swept wing configuration.

The X-29 was designed to explore the advantages and challenges associated with forward-swept wings, which had the wingtips positioned ahead of the main wing structure. This unconventional design offered potential benefits such as improved maneuverability, increased lift, and enhanced control at high angles of attack.

The aircraft featured a small, highly swept wing with composite materials, canard surfaces near the nose, and a unique computer-controlled fly-by-wire flight control system. Its structure incorporated advanced composite materials to withstand the increased stresses associated with the forward-swept wing configuration.

From 1984 to 1992, two X-29 prototypes underwent a series of flight tests to evaluate the aircraft’s performance and handling characteristics. The tests provided valuable data on the aerodynamics of forward-swept wings, control systems, and structural integrity.

The X-29 program yielded significant insights into the challenges of handling an aircraft with forward-swept wings, including issues related to structural flexibility, aeroelasticity, and stability. It contributed to advancements in flight control systems and aerodynamic research, influencing subsequent aircraft designs.

While the X-29 did not enter production as a combat aircraft, its innovative design and research findings helped shape the future development of high-performance aircraft. The X-29 remains an important milestone in aerospace engineering, showcasing the pursuit of unconventional configurations and pushing the boundaries of aerodynamic understanding.

Grumman X-29 Specifications

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) payload
  • Length: 53 ft 11.25 in (16.4402 m) including nose probe. 48 ft 1 in (15 m) fuselage only
  • Wingspan: 27 ft 2.5 in (8.293 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 3.5 in (4.356 m)
  • Wing area: 188.84 sq ft (17.544 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 3.9
  • Airfoil: root: Grumman K MOD 2 (6.2%); tip: Grumman K MOD 2 (4.9%)
  • Empty weight: 13,800 lb (6,260 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 17,800 lb (8,074 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 3,978 lb (1,804 kg) in two fuselage bladder tanks and two strake integral tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning turbofan engine, 16,000 lbf (71 kN) with afterburner.

Grumman X-29 Performance

  • Maximum speed: 956 kn (1,100 mph, 1,771 km/h) at 33,000 ft (10,058 m)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.6
  • Range: 350 nmi (400 mi, 650 km)
  • Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (17,000 m)

Grumman X-29 Avionics

  • Litton LR-80 AHRS
  • Magnavox AN/ARC-164 UHF
  • Teledyne RT-1063B/APX-101V IFF/SIF
  • Honeywell triple redundant fly-by-wire FCS

Grumman X-29 Image Gallery

More Grumman Aircraft

Grumman Corporation was a major American aerospace and defense contractor best known for its innovative and iconic aircraft designs. Founded in 1930 by Leroy Grumman 🔗 and his partners, the company quickly established itself as a leader in aviation technology, particularly in military aviation. Grumman remains celebrated for its engineering excellence, from the battlefields of World War II to the surface of the Moon. 

Grumman F3F - American WW2 Aircraft and Warplanes - USA

Grumman F3F

The Grumman F3F was an American biplane fighter aircraft designed for the United States Navy during the mid-1930s.

Read More »

More American Aircraft

The United States has a long history in aviation and has produced some of the most iconic and influential aircraft designs in history. These are just a few examples of the many iconic designs that have come out of the United States over the years:

Northrop F-5 - WW2 American Aircraft & Warplanes, Info - Fighters

Northrop F-5

The Northrop F-5 is a family of American supersonic light fighter aircraft designed in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation.

Read More »