Boeing X-32

Boeing X-32
Country	USA
Role	Concept demonstrator aircraft
First flight	18 September 2000
Built	2

The Boeing X-32 is a concept demonstrator aircraft that was designed for the Joint Strike Fighter competition. It lost to the Lockheed Martin X-35 demonstrator, which was further developed into the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Source: Boeing X-32 on Wikipedia

Boeing X 32 (Prototype) Walk Around
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General Characteristics

The Boeing X-32 was a technology demonstrator aircraft developed for the US Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, competing against the Lockheed Martin X-35. It was characterized by its single, large delta wing and distinctive, large air intake under the nose.

Property	Value (X-32A/B Demonstrator)
Role	JSF Technology Demonstrator (Prototype)
Manufacturer	Boeing
First Flight	September 18, 2000
Crew	1 pilot
Configuration	Delta wing, single engine, jet
Maximum Take-Off Weight	Approx. 17,000 kg (37,500 lb)
Wingspan	10.97 m (36 ft 0 in)

Propulsion and STOVL System

Engine: One Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-614S turbofan engine.
Thrust: Approx. 128 kN (28,000 lbf) (dry) / 192 kN (43,000 lbf) (afterburning).
STOVL System: Used a direct-lift system. Hot exhaust from the main engine was channeled through two vectoring nozzles located near the aircraft’s center of gravity for vertical lift (Lift Mode).
Key Feature: The direct-lift system was designed to be simpler, using fewer moving parts than the X-35’s lift fan system, potentially lowering maintenance costs.

Performance and History

Maximum Speed: Capable of supersonic flight (Mach 1.6+ estimated for production version).
Supercruise: Demonstrated some level of sustained supersonic capability without afterburner.
Operational History: The X-32A (conventional) and X-32B (STOVL) prototypes were used to validate Boeing’s technical approach to the JSF requirements (USAF, US Navy, USMC).
Selection Outcome: In 2001, the Department of Defense selected the Lockheed Martin X-35 (which became the F-35 Lightning II) over the X-32, citing the X-35’s better performance margins and maturity.