Scaled Composites ATTT
| ATTT | |
|---|---|
| Role | Transport aircraft technology demonstrator |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Scaled Composites |
| First flight | 29 December 1987 |
| Number built | 1 |
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.
Design and development
In the mid-1980s, the American government agency DARPA, developed a concept for a tandem wing STOL transport, intended to act as a technology demonstrator and to meet a requirement for a long-range high-speed transport for US special forces, intended to fill the gap between helicopters and larger transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules. In 1986, DARPA placed a contract with Scaled Composites, a company set up by Burt Rutan and owned by Beechcraft to build prototypes for advanced aircraft, for a 62% scale proof-of-concept demonstrator for the concept, called the Advanced Technology Tactical Transport (shortened to ATTT or AT3).[1][2]
The ATTT had high-
The ATTT demonstrator made its maiden flight on December 29, 1987 from Mojave Airport, base of Scaled Composites.[4] It completed its initial test program of 51 test flights, with a total of 112 flying hours, on November 8, 1988. It was then rebuilt with a revised tail, with a twin-boom configuration replacing the original single cruciform tail unit, with the fuselage shortened and a rear-loading ramp fitted.[5] The revised layout improved handling, lowering minimum single-engine safety speed (which was previously significantly higher than the stall speed).[6] A further 13 test flights were flown to evaluate the revised layout.[7]
The aircraft has been de-registered and is currently in storage at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base
Specifications (Final configuration)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1990–91[8]
General characteristics
- Length: 44 ft 10 in (13.67 m)
- Wingspan: 53 ft 2 in (16.21 m)
- Foreplane span: 37 ft 8 in (11.48 m)
- Height: 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
- Wing area: 179.4 sq ft (16.67 m2)
- Foreplane area: 118.08 sq ft (10.97 m2)
- Max takeoff weight: 11,500 lb (5,216 kg) (max flown)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135A turboprop, 750 shp (560 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 200 mph (310 km/h, 170 kn)
- Minimum control speed: 72 mph (117 km/h, 63 kn)
References
- ^ North Aviation Week & Space Technology October 13, 1986, pp. 28–29.
- ^ Flight International January 30, 1988, p. 9.
- ^ Scott Aviation Week & Space Technology January 18, 1988, p. 26.
- ^ Scott Aviation Week & Space Technology September 4, 1989, p. 38.
- ^ Aviation Week & Space Technology April 17, 1989, p. 20.
- ^ Scott Aviation Week & Space Technology September 4, 1989, p. 49.
- ^ Flight International July 8, 1989, p. 16.
- ^ Lambert 1990, pp. 495–496.
- "AT3 Testing Ends". Flight International. Vol. 136, no. 4172. July 8, 1989. p. 16. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- "Beech flies advanced transport demonstrator". Flight International. Vol. 133, no. 4098. January 30, 1988. p. 9. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- Lambert, Mark, ed. (1990). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1990–91. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Defence Data. ISBN 0-7106-0908-6.
- North, David M. (October 13, 1986). "DARPA Developing Tactical Transport For Special Operations Forces". Aviation Week & Space Technology. pp. 28–29. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- "Scaled Composites Rolls Out Modified ATTT for DARPA Tests". Aviation Week & Space Technology. April 17, 1989. p. 30. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- Scott, William (January 18, 1988). "Scaled Composites Tests Low-Altitude, Long-Range Capability of ATTT Aircraft". Aviation Week & Space Technology. p. 26. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- Scott, William B. (September 4, 1989). "AT3 Demonstrates Feasibility Of Cargo STOL With Long Range". Aviation Week & Space Technology. pp. 38–40, 45, 48–49. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
External links
