X-23 PRIME

infobox Aircraft
name = X-23 PRIME
type = Lifting body
manufacturer = Martin Marietta



caption = Preserved X-23 PRIME at USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio
designer =
first flight = 21 December 1966
introduced =
retired = 19 April 1967
produced =
number built = 3
status = Out of service
unit cost =
primary user = United States Air Force
more users =
developed from =
variants with their own articles = Martin X-24

The Martin Marietta X-23A PRIME (Precision Reentry Including Maneuvering reEntry) was a small lifting body re-entry vehicle tested by the United States Air Force in the mid-1960s. Unlike ASSET, primarily used for structural and heating research, the X-23 PRIME was developed to study the effects of maneuvering during re-entry, including cross-range maneuvers up to 710 statute miles (1143 km) off the ballistic track.

Design

Each X-23 was constructed from titanium, beryllium, stainless steel, and aluminium "where appropriate". The craft consisted of two sections — the aft main structure and a removable forward "glove section". The structure was completely covered with a Martin-developed ablative heat shield 20 to 70 mm (¾ to 2¾ inches) thick, though the nose cap was constructed of carbon-phenolic.

Aerodynamic control was provided by a pair of 12-inch (30 cm) square lower flaps, and fixed upper flaps and rudders. A nitrogen gas reaction control system was used outside the atmosphere. At Mach 2 a drogue ballute deployed and slowed the vehicle's descent. As it deployed, its cable sliced the upper structure of the main equipment bay, allowing a 47-foot (16.4 m) recovery chute to deploy. It would then be recovered by a specially-equipped JC-130B Hercules.

Flight testing

The first PRIME vehicle was launched from Vandenberg AFB on 21 December 1966 atop an Atlas launch vehicle. This mission simulated a low-earth orbit reentry with a zero cross-range. The ballute deployed at 99,850 feet (30.43 km), though the recovery parachute failed to completely deploy. The vehicle crashed into the Pacific.

The second was launched on 5 March 1967. This flight simulated a 654-mile (1053 km) cross range re-entry, and banking at hypersonic speeds. Several stringers on the main parachute failed to cut, preventing a successful recovery. It too was lost in the Pacific.

The final PRIME mission was flown on 19 April 1967, and simulated reentry from low-earth orbit with a 710 mile (1143 km) cross-range. This time, all systems performed perfectly, and the X-23 was successfully recovered. An inspection by a USAF-Martin team reported the craft "ready to fly again", although no later missions were carried out. The third X-23 is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Ohio.

Specifications (X-23)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet
ref=
crew=None
capacity=
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 6 ft 9 in
length alt= 2.07 m
span main= 3 ft 10 in
span alt= 1.16 m
height main= 2 ft 1 in
height alt= 0.64 m
area main=
area alt=
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empty weight main=
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main= 890 lb
loaded weight alt= 405 kg
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engine (jet)=Nitrogen-gas reaction control thrusters
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afterburning thrust main=
afterburning thrust alt=
max speed main=Mach 25
max speed alt=
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never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main= 710 miles
range alt= 1,143 km
ceiling main=
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* Hypersonic L/D Ratio: 1:1
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ee also

aircontent
related=

similar aircraft=
Molniya BOR-4
ASSET
sequence=
X-20 -
X-21 -
X-22 -X-23 -
X-24 -
X-25 -
X-26

lists=

see also=