The Douglas X-3 Stiletto is a 1950s United States experimental jet aircraft with a slender fuselage and a long tapered nose, manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company.

Feb 28, 2014 · On Oct. 27, 1954, Walker made an abrupt left roll at Mach 0.92 and an altitude of 30,000 feet. In this NACA High-Speed Flight Station (now NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California) photograph, the X-3 Stiletto is seen illuminated by sunlight off the lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The twin-turbojet X-3, the only one built, was designed to test sustained flight at twice the speed of sound. It also explored the use of very short wings and titanium airframe construction.

May 11, 2017 · Among the most sought-after were the supersonic X-planes, including the X-3, unofficially nicknamed the Stiletto. Its overall look—the long, needle-nosed fuselage, those impossibly vestigial-looking wings, that art deco windscreen—gave the impression it was capable of going twice the speed of sound and reaching the threshold of outer space.

On October 27, 1954, the X-3 experienced its most significant flight when it encountered “roll inertia coupling.”

Jan 15, 2016 · Douglas manufactured one airframe. The X-3 flew a total of 26 flights between 1952-1955. This slender, jet-powered aircraft tested such new materials as titanium and collected data on stability and control, pressure distribution, and flight loads.

The Douglas X-3 Stiletto was a 1950s United States experimental jet aircraft with a slender fuselage and a long tapered nose, manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company.

Dec 12, 2014 · During development, the X-3’s planned engines failed to meet the thrust, size and weight requirements. As a result, lower-thrust Westinghouse J34 turbojets were substituted. The first aircraft was completed and delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on …

Jul 29, 2022 · It was a very ambitious aircraft that aimed to grow the USA’s knowledge of machines capable of Mach 2 flight. The first of two X-3s was built in 1952. Just 49 years after the Wright brother’s first flight of 180 feet, NASA was intending to test …

The X-3 (49-2892) was manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company and investigated the design features of an aircraft suitable for sustained supersonic speeds, which included the first use of titanium in major airframe components. It was delivered to the NACA High-Speed Flight Station in August of 1954.