Bensen X-25
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The Bensen X-25 were autogyros used as test vehicles as part of the United States Air Force’s Discretionary Descent Vehicle (DDV) program.
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[edit] Development
The Discretionary Descent Vehicle was planned to replace combat aircraft ejection seats to allow downed pilots more control over their post-ejection landing spot. Three Bensen B-8 gyro-glider/gyro-copters were ordered and modified:
[edit] X-25
The X-25 gyro-glider was an unpowered autogyro. No known piloted tests of this vehicle were performed.
[edit] X-25A
The X-25A gyro-copter (Serial Number 68-10770) was a powered version first flown on June 5, 1968.
[edit] X-25B
The X-25B gyro-glider (Serial Number 68-10771) was unpowered and first flown on January 23, 1968.
[edit] Operational History
The X-25A and X-25B were used to evaluate the piloting and training requirements of the autogyros. No full-scale operational tests were ever performed. The U.S. Air Force stopped funding the DDV program with the end of the Vietnam War.
[edit] Preservation
The X-25A 68-10770 is displayed in the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio
The X-25B 68-10771 is displayed at the AFFTC Museum at Edwards Air Force Base.
[edit] Specifications
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
- Rotorspan: 22 ft 8 in (6.91 m)
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
- Empty: 247 lb (112 kg)
- Loaded: 550 lb (250 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 McCulloch 4318 piston engine 72 hp (54 kW)
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
- Range: 84 miles (137 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
- Rate of climb:
- Power/mass:
X-1 · X-2 · X-3 · X-4 · X-5 · X-6 · X-7 · X-8 · X-9 · X-10 · X-11 · X-12 · X-13 · X-14 · X-15 · X-16 · X-17 · X-18 · X-19 · X-20 · X-21 · X-22 · X-23 · X-24 · X-25 · X-26 · X-27 · X-28 · X-29 · X-30 · X-31 · X-32 · X-33 · X-34 · X-35 · X-36 · X-37 · X-38 · X-39 · X-40 · X-41 · X-42 · X-43 · X-44 · X-45 · X-46 · X-47 · X-48 · X-49 · X-50 · X-51 · X-53
See also List of experimental aircraft
[edit] References
American X-Vehicles (.pdf)
[edit] Related content
Related development:
Comparable aircraft: Benson B-8
Designation sequence: X-22 - X-23 - X-24 - X-25 - X-26 - X-27 - X-28
[edit] See also
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
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