Bensen X-25
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bensen X-25 were autogyros used as test vehicles as part of the United States Air Force’s Discretionary Descent Vehicle (DDV) program.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The Discretionary Descent Vehicle was planned to replace combat aircraft ejection seats to allow downed pilots more control over their post-ejection landing spot. Three Bensen B-8 gyro-glider/gyro-copters were ordered and modified:
[edit] X-25
The X-25 gyro-glider was an unpowered autogyro. No known piloted tests of this vehicle were performed.
[edit] X-25A
The X-25A gyro-copter (Serial Number 68-10770) was a powered version first flown on June 5, 1968.
[edit] X-25B
The X-25B gyro-glider (Serial Number 68-10771) was unpowered and first flown on January 23, 1968.
[edit] Operational History
The X-25A and X-25B were used to evaluate the piloting and training requirements of the autogyros. No full-scale operational tests were ever performed. The U.S. Air Force stopped funding the DDV program with the end of the Vietnam War.
[edit] Preservation
The X-25A 68-10770 is displayed in the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio
The X-25B 68-10771 is displayed at the AFFTC Museum at Edwards Air Force Base.
[edit] Specifications
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
- Rotorspan: 22 ft 8 in (6.91 m)
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
- Empty: 247 lb (112 kg)
- Loaded: 550 lb (250 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 McCulloch 4318 piston engine 72 hp (54 kW)
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
- Range: 84 miles (137 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
- Rate of climb:
- Power/mass:
X-1 • X-2 • X-3 • X-4 • X-5 • X-6 • X-7 • X-8 • X-9 • X-10 • X-11 • X-12 • X-13 • X-14 • X-15 • X-16 • X-17 • X-18 • X-19 • X-20 • X-21 • X-22 • X-23 • X-24 • X-25 • X-26 • X-27 • X-28 • X-29 • X-30 • X-31 • X-32 • X-33 • X-34 • X-35 • X-36 • X-37 • X-38 • X-39 • X-40 • X-41 • X-42 • X-43 • X-44 • X-45 • X-46 • X-47 • X-48 • X-49 • X-50 • X-51
See also List of experimental aircraft
[edit] References
American X-Vehicles (.pdf)
[edit] Related content
Related development:
Comparable aircraft: Benson B-8
Designation sequence: X-22 - X-23 - X-24 - X-25 - X-26 - X-27 - X-28
[edit] See also
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Portions of this article are based on public domain text from NASA.de:Bensen X-25
This article contains material that originally came from a NASA website. According to their site usage guidelines, "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". For more information, please review NASA's use guidelines.
