The Darpa/Boeing X-37 has been carried aloft for the first time by the Scaled Composites 'White Knight" aircraft. One more captive test is to be
carried out before the X-37 is dropped.
Taxi tests of the unmanned reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator mated to White Knight started on May 5 (AW&ST June 6, p. 19). This version
of the X-37 is an approach and landing test vehicle. In drop tests, the pair will take off from Scaled's Mojave, Calif., base and the X-37 will be
released at about 35,000-40,000 ft., but it will touch down at nearby Edwards AFB, Calif., at the end of its gliding flights.
Darpa expects to conduct three drop tests to validate aerodynamic stability, structural integrity and autonomous operations in the approach and
landing environment.
DARPA
[edit on 6/30/05 by FredT]
