<strong>Flying wing makes its global debut: </strong>Aviation fans got their first chance to see the Horten HX-2 at Germany's Aero Friedrichshafen airshow on April 11.
Flying wing makes its global debut: Aviation fans got their first chance to see the Horten HX-2 at Germany's Aero Friedrichshafen airshow on April 11.
Horten Aircraft
<strong>Horten HX-2: </strong>Three years in the making, the Horten HX-2 is a tailless two-person light aircraft.
Horten HX-2: Three years in the making, the Horten HX-2 is a tailless two-person light aircraft.
Horten Aircraft
<strong>The team: </strong>The Horten Aircraft team, including Silvio Hungsberg, Gunnar Maas, Bernhard Mattlener and Filip Piskorzynski present the flying wing at Aero Friedrichshafen.
The team: The Horten Aircraft team, including Silvio Hungsberg, Gunnar Maas, Bernhard Mattlener and Filip Piskorzynski present the flying wing at Aero Friedrichshafen.
AERO Friedrichshafen
<strong>Prototype:</strong> The aircraft is in prototype stage and is currently undergoing flight testing.
Prototype: The aircraft is in prototype stage and is currently undergoing flight testing.
Horten Aircraft
<strong>Specs: </strong>Its wing span is a sweeping 10 meters, with lifted tips, but its tailless, tiny two-seater cabin has a maximum length of just two meters.
Specs: Its wing span is a sweeping 10 meters, with lifted tips, but its tailless, tiny two-seater cabin has a maximum length of just two meters.
AERO Friedrichshafen
<strong>Aerodynamic:</strong> Bernhard Mattlener, managing director of Horten Aircraft, says that "due to its low aerodynamic resistance, the flying wing flies farther and faster than a comparable aircraft with a fuselage."
Aerodynamic: Bernhard Mattlener, managing director of Horten Aircraft, says that "due to its low aerodynamic resistance, the flying wing flies farther and faster than a comparable aircraft with a fuselage."
Horten Aircraft
<strong>Airframe:</strong> "The design of the airframe makes it easily adaptable for installing new propulsion technologies we anticipate will become available in the future," he adds.
Airframe: "The design of the airframe makes it easily adaptable for installing new propulsion technologies we anticipate will become available in the future," he adds.
Horten Aircraft
<strong>Historic design: </strong>As outlandishly modern as the HX-2 might look, the flying wing concept is as old as aviation itself. Hugo Junkers patented his "nurflügel" flying wing back in 1910.
Historic design: As outlandishly modern as the HX-2 might look, the flying wing concept is as old as aviation itself. Hugo Junkers patented his "nurflügel" flying wing back in 1910.
AERO Friedrichshafen
<strong>Future developments:</strong> Horten Aircraft's plans for the future include unmanned or multi-seat versions of the current prototype.
Future developments: Horten Aircraft's plans for the future include unmanned or multi-seat versions of the current prototype.
Horten Aircraft
<strong>Alternative propulsion: </strong>"Aviation is moving more and more towards alternative propulsion systems. The flying wing aircraft is an ideal platform for the upcoming technology," says Mattlener.
Alternative propulsion: "Aviation is moving more and more towards alternative propulsion systems. The flying wing aircraft is an ideal platform for the upcoming technology," says Mattlener.
Horten Aircraft