Scaled Composites ATTT

The Scaled Composites Model 133-4.62 ATTT, or Advanced Technology Tactical Transport was a technology demonstration project built by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites in 1986 under contract to DARPA. The aircraft built was a 62% scaled version of a proposed STOL transport. The project's goal was to demonstrate novel applications of technology to enable new transport aircraft to operate out of shorter airfields. The core of this technology was a novel utilization of eight Fowler flaps, which proved quite successful.

The ATTT was essentially two different aircraft during the life of the program. Initially, the aircraft was built with a standard-configuration cruciform tail. In this mode, it flew 51 test flights which evaluated performance and handling qualities. After deficiencies were identified by the flight test program, the tail was redesigned, and the aircraft was rebuilt with a twin-boom type tail.

The ATTT was powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engines.

The aircraft has been de-registered and is currently in storage at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base.

Trivia

Although the aircraft's official name was the Advanced Technology Tactical Transport, around the Scaled factory (which has a renown sense of humor) the working name for the project was Special-Mission Utility Transport, or SMUT.

References

* [http://scaled.com/projects/ATTT.html Model 133 at Scaled Composites' website]
* [http://aerofiles.com/_rutan.html Aerofiles information]
* [http://www.air-and-space.com/Rutan.htm Goleta Air and Space Museum information and images]