Northrop NASA Lifting Body Tests HL 10, M2 F2, M2 F3

Courtesy: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia After delivery to NASA in January 1966, the HL10 made its first flight on December 22, 1966, with research pilot Bruce Peterson in the cockpit. Although the XLR11 rocket engine (same type used in the Bell X1) was installed, the first 11 drops from the B52 launch aircraft were unpowered glide flights to assess handling qualities, stability, and control. In the end, the HL10 was judged to be the best handling of the three original heavyweight lifting bodies (M2F2, F3, HL10, X24A). The HL10 was flown 37 times during the lifting body research program and logged the highest altitude and fastest speed in the lifting body program. On February 18, 1970, Air Force test pilot Peter Hoag piloted the HL10 to Mach 1. 86 (1, 228mph). Nine days later, NASA pilot Bill Dana flew the vehicle to 90, 030fee