X-65

[Jolly]

No control surfaces...

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/x-65-darpa-new-plane/

[Copper]

Back to the Wright Brothers.

[Jolly]

Orvlle didn't have a computer.

Or DARPA's budget....

[89th]

Don't really need the traditional wing look then, no? Could just be a fridge with lots of little air blast jets or something?

[Copper]

@Jolly said in X-65:

Orvlle didn't have a computer.

Or DARPA's budget....

Which is why he succeeded.

[Jolly]

Orville and Wilbur succeded because a new process to smelt aluminum meant that aluminum became cheap, rather than more valuable than gold. They were able to use the metal in their engine to save weight, while still producing enough horsepower.

The Soviets produced some great airplanes, using titanium. Far ahead of the West at one point . They did that because they had the most sophisticated titanium welding process, because they have a butt load of titanium ore, and they thought they might as well use it .

Sometimes, man, material and technology all can meet in one machine.