Unstable Tailless Demonstrator

A research project from 1987. A statically unstable tailless aircraft (7% static instability) with on-board computer stabilization. Uses only trailing edge flaps for control. This work is quaint by today's standards, but very interesting in 1987.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• unstable
• flying
• wing
• tailless
• computer
• stabilized
• rc
• model
• UAV

[SPAGHETTIMONSTER1]

lol, once you put a tail on it,.. ?? well , a tail w/rudder is a tail ? am I missing something here???? would have been cool to see it fly w/ no tail,.. Ohhhh Well, still good experiments.

[smorrismlbco]

The aircraft is highly unstable in pitch and has no horizontal tail, that is why it is called "tailless". If an aircraft lacks either a horizontal or vertical tail surface it is commonly referred to as tailless. If there is no tail at all it is usually called a flying wing.

[iplop]

Wow! Was this research used in part for the B2 Spirit?

I notice the B2 was built just 2 years later.

[smorrismlbco]

This was unfunded independent research. At the time this work was done I knew nothing of the B-2. I did meet the B-2 test pilot when he visited Stanford after this project was finished, but before the B-2 had flown.

[poppopscarvinshop]

No Horizontal Stabilizer, But Not "Tailess" - As Flown in These Test Flights.

[verminosity]

I would have killed to have done research like this in college. Just curious... what are you doing now, 24 years later? Flipping burgers at the fast food joint?  Or director of engineering at Boeing?

[verminosity]

4:37 - Face plant - aka Sand Sandwich

5:00 - 'Now go get it and bring it back'. 'No... YOU go get it, it's your plane'.

[snhp9]

wow now we got these things called gyros. hmm. sucked to be them in the 80's

[paulkazjack]

Its not 'tailess' itS ' ELAVATORLESS'!!

[SPAGHETTIMONSTER1]

@smorrismlbco , your tailless wing has a vertical stab on the tail, the video even says so.4:00 "the airplane is modified to include a vertical tail" ?  I'm starting to get confused.

[mark675]

4:38 she fell over! she fell over!