Basically all of them except the F-117 Nighthawk…
Lockheed “Hopeless diamond”
Role: Concept model to demonstrate faceted stealth theory
Date: 1975
Country: USA
Description: aka
”Echo”. Conceived by Denys Overholser as Lockheed’s entry into the XST competition, which Lockheed later won, the design
is so named because the aerodynamic configuration had little hope of ever flying. It did however demonstrate the huge potential of Lockheed Skunk
Works to design and build credible stealth aircraft.
Lockheed “Have Blue”
Role: Sub-scale development aircraft
Date: 1976
Country: USA
Description: Having won the XST competition against Northrop, Lockheed begun to build two manned demonstrator aircraft. The design differs from later
F-117 in that the ‘vertical’ tail surfaces are mounted far apart and slope inwards rather than the “v” tail of the Nighthawk. There are many
other subtle differences in configuration, particularly in the nose/cockpit area.
Lockheed “Senior Prom”
Role: stealth cruise missile (prototype/development program)
Date: ~1978
Country: USA
Description: Alongside the have Blue program, Lockheed’s Skunk Works developed a stealth cruise missile using the faceted stealth concept. There is
also conjecture that the design could also be used as the basis of a stealth reconnaissance drone. Although the stealth aspects of the program are
believed to have been successful, development was cancelled, possibly due to the size of the configuration not fitting the USAF’s bomber’s weapons
bay – although possibly also due to unit price which would probably have been far higher than other cruise missiles.
MBB “Lampyridae”
Role: Development airframes for stealth interceptor program
Date: 1981 (sub-scale airframes built by 1985)
Country: Germany (/Netherlands?)
Description: Not revealed publicly until 1995, the MBB Lampyridea is compelling evidence that America was not alone in developing stealth aircraft.
The Lampyridea program was cut short by the end of the cold war, but was otherwise promising. Like the Lockheed designs the lift is generated by the
extremely sharp angle of the leading edge as opposed to conventional airfoil design, allowing the generally crude aerodynamics of the sharp-edged
facets to fly, though almost certainly unstable and requiring of fly-by-wire conttrol. The Lampyridea is known to have existed in at least two
configurations – one with a faceted cockpit the other with a more conventional bubble canopy.
Lockheed “Senior Peg”
Role: Advanced Tactical bomber (ATB) concept proposal
Year: 1981+
Country: USA
Description: Lockheed’s unsuccessful proposal to meet the ATB requirement, which led to the B2, was a partially faceted stealth design bearing some
similarities to the F117 Nighthawk but much larger with the V tail mounted on a boom extending behind the wings.
[edit on 20-3-2006 by planeman]
[edit on 20-3-2006 by planeman]
