THE X-29 AND THE X-31
Foward-swept wings, thin-supercritical wings, canards, does this call to mind the X-29? It should.
The Grumman X-29 first flew on December 14, 1984. Grumman X-29A Aviation Enthusiast
Corner
canards and extra-high maneuverability. This aircraft has succeeded wildly in meeting all of its goals
and has actually surpassed all but the wildest hopes about how it could perform. At its time it could
fly at the highest AOA (Angle Of Attack) of any aircraft, the X-31 has since managed a higher
AOA while still retaining good controlabiliby. The X-29 is one of the most maneuverable
airplanes in 
the world, even more so that the X-31! The only air vehicles that have greater
maneuverability are helicoptors. The X-29 demonstrated
technologies for fighters that will be used in the future,
the canards are already being used in many modern
aircraft, an example is France's Mirage 2000 or
Eurofighter 2000.
Cranked arrow delta-wing, canards, thrust vectoring, first international X-Plane, seem familiar? You
might have read about or seen it in air shows, or you might be wondering what I'm talking about
will, it's the X-31! The X-31 was the first X-Plane to perform at an international airshow. X-Plane's
Excellent Farewell, Popular Mechanics, November 1995
by Rockwell Rockwell X-31A, Aviation Enthusiast Corner, NASA, and the German Luftwaffe.
The thrust vectoring paddles can even simulate certain functions such as the rudder. X-31 project
managers are even considering cutting its tail off and simply let thrust 
vectoring take over those
functions X-31 May Turn Bobtail,
Popular Mechanics, January 1995
however they will probably decide
against it. Technology introduced in the X-31 is already in use (such as thrust vectoring), some
examples are the new F-22, X-36 NASA and McDonnell Douglas Unveil Newest X-Plane,
Caldwell Internet Express, March 15 1996
advantage of this ability, with Americans leading the way.
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