X-31 VECTOR experimental aircraft. Rockwell-MBB X-31 VECTOR (Vectoring, Extremely Short Takeoff and Landing, Control and Tailless Operation Research)

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X-31 VECTOR experimental aircraft. Rockwell-MBB X-31 VECTOR (Vectoring, Extremely Short Takeoff and Landing, Control and Tailless Operation Research) approaching the ground at a 24 degree angle of attack during an automated extremely short takeoff and landing (ESTOL) approach. This was the last flight of the Enhanced Fighter Manoeuvrability program, which was designed to test fighter thrust vectoring technology. Photographed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, USA, on 29th April 2003.

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Size: 3477px × 2509px
Photo credit: © US Navy/James Darcy/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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