Northrop N-9MB – nuotraukos ir vaizdo įrašai

2007 Northrop N-9M buvo maždaug trečdalio mastelio, 60 pėdų ilgio visų sparnų orlaivis, naudojamas viso dydžio, 172 pėdų sparnų ilgio "Northrop XB-35" ir YB-35 skraidančio sparno ilgojo nuotolio, sunkiojo bombonešio kūrimui. Pirmą kartą skrido 1942 m., N-9M (M for Model) buvo trečiasis iš visų sparnų "Northrop" orlaivių konstrukcijų linijos, kuri prasidėjo 1929 m., Kai Jackui Northropui pavyko atlikti ankstyvus eksperimentus su savo vieno stūmimo sraigtu, dviejų uodegų, dvigubos strėlės, visos įtemptos metalinės odos "Northrop Flying Wing X-216H" monoplanu, o po dešimtmečio - dvigubos atramos N-1M 1939–1941 m. "Northrop" novatoriškas visų sparnų orlaivis po daugelio metų paskatins "Northrop-Grumman" galiausiai sukurti pažangų "B-2 Spirit" slaptą bombonešį, kuris debiutavo oro pajėgų inventoriuje 1989 m.

Šaltinis: Northrop N-9MB Vikipedijoje

2007 Northrop N-9MB was a remarkable aircraft that pioneered the concept of flying wing design. It was a one-third scale model of the Northrop XB-35, a proposed long-range heavy bomber that never entered service. The N-9MB was used to test the aerodynamics, stability and handling of the all-wing configuration, as well as to train pilots for the future bomber. The N-9MB had a wingspan of 60 feet and was powered by two Menasco or Franklin engines, depending on the variant. It first flew in 1942 and made 45 flights in five months, before the first prototype crashed and killed the pilot.
Three more N-9MBs were built and flown until 1945, when the XB-35 program was cancelled. The N-9MBs were then scrapped or abandoned, except for one that was restored and flown by the Planes of Fame Air Museum until 2019, when it also crashed and killed the pilot. The N-9MB was an important step in the development of flying wing technology, which would later lead to the Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.