NASA. Very nice view of Nasa's experimental "HiMat" aircraft - Lot 102

NASA. Very nice view of Nasa's experimental "HiMat" aircraft. HiMAT was an experimental aircraft designed by Rockwell International. Its construction enabled scientific research into aeroelasticity, the use of software to drive construction, composite materials, transonic performance optimization with a supercritical wing, electric flight controls and a canard front. The aircraft was piloted by remote control, so as not to endanger the lives of the pilots during the tests. The 26 experimental flights took place between 1979 and 1983. The planes were carried aloft and launched by a Boeing B-524. Their turning performance, 8.5g at ~1 mach speed and an altitude of 7600 m, was estimated to be twice that of the contemporary F-16 Fighting Falcon5. Testing took place at the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Regular flyers will recognize the relief of the area in the background of the HiMat silhouette. Circa 1980.period chromogenic print on paper: "THIS PAPER MANUFACTURED BY KODAK". Caption on back. 20.3 x 25.4CM with margins.