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originally posted by: Discotech
the 1st one is the most aesthetically pleasing!
I'm curious though why NASA's vision for future of flight involves a prop drive plane ? Where's our magnetic levitation ion drive aircraft ?
Max. speed at 25,000 ft 575 mph, at S/L 404 mph, nominal cruising speed 442 mph, ceiling 39,370 ft, combat radius with 25,000 lb payload 3,975 miles, with one in-flight refueling 5,155 miles.
It is rumored that Bear is known to be able to out accelerate contemporary western interceptors. This hard to believe fact can be accounted by use of variable-pitch propellers of NK-12M turboprops. Modern jets need to use afterburners to keep up with accelerating Bear. In fact, one of the photo showing Panavia Toronado using reheat on one of the engines while pursuing this remarkable bomber.
Presumably, Bear holds an unofficial speed record for a prop-driven aircraft...
Northrop Grumman worked with Raytheon Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kan., its principal subcontractor during Phase I, to explore synergies with the civil sector. To evaluare the dual relevance of these technologies, Raytheon Aircraft designed the variant for the civil business jet, while Northrop Grumman designed the military long-range strike variant. In addition, under a shaped sonic boom demonstration project of the QSP program, Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems has successfully completed a critical design review with DARPA, an important milestone in preparation for the first-ever flight demonstration of a sonic boom mitigated by airframe shaping. If the project continues, an X-plane could fly as early as 2006, and technology would be ready for a full-scale development program to start in 2008.