The HL-10 was one of five aircraft built in the Lifting Body Research Program. It was a NASA design and was built to evaluate an inverted airfoil lifting body with a delta planform. The HL-10 was flown 37 times during the program and logged the highest altitude and fastest speed.
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The HL-10 was one of five aircraft built in the Lifting Body Research Program. It was a NASA design and was built to evaluate an inverted airfoil lifting body with a delta planform. The HL-10 was flown 37 times during the program and logged the highest altitude and fastest speed.
The other lifting body designs were the M2-F2, M2-F3 (rebuilt M2-F2 following a landing accident), X-24A and X-24B (the rebuilt X-24A with a different aerodynamic shape).
Wingless lifting bodies attained aerodynamic stability and lift from the shape of the vehicle. Lift resulted from more air pressure on the bottom of the body than on the top. Energy and aerodynamic lift are used for in-flight maneuvering and a powerless, glider-like landing…Learn more