Bell X-14 Vectored-Thrust VTOL Research Aircraft Family
The Bell X-14 was a single-aircraft U.S. VTOL research family that demonstrated practical vectored jet thrust for vertical lift, hover, transition, and conventional flight. NASA and Air Force testing from 1957 to 1981 used the X-14 as a long-lived V/STOL handling and control laboratory, and its data influenced later designs including the Hawker P.1127 and Harrier.
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Identity
- Aliases
- X-14X-14AX-14BBell Model 68Bell Model 8
- Family Name
- Bell X-14
- Full Name
- Bell X-14 Vectored-Thrust VTOL Research Aircraft Family
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- powered_lift
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- vtol
- Description
- The Bell X-14 was a single-aircraft U.S. VTOL research family that demonstrated practical vectored jet thrust for vertical lift, hover, transition, and conventional flight. NASA and Air Force testing from 1957 to 1981 used the X-14 as a long-lived V/STOL handling and control laboratory, and its data influenced later designs including the Hawker P.1127 and Harrier.
- First Flight Year
- 1,957
- Manufacturer
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 2
- Placement
- fuselage
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- Original X-14 configuration; two side-by-side Viper ASV.8 turbojets, approximately 1,900 lbf / 8.45 kN each according to NASA material.
- Name
- Bell X-14 original two-engine Viper ASV.8 installation
- Notes
- The original Bell X-14 fit used two Armstrong Siddeley Viper ASV.8 turbojets. Cascade thrust diverters redirected exhaust for vertical lift, while compressor bleed air fed reaction controls. The physical engine complement is retained in the count-2 entry.
- Entries
- Count
- 2
- Placement
- fuselage
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- Later X-14A re-engining; two General Electric J-85 turbojets. Exact J85 variant is not asserted.
- Name
- Bell X-14A two-engine J85 installation
- Notes
- NASA records that the aircraft was later fitted with General Electric J-85 turbojet engines to increase thrust margins and was then redesignated X-14A. The bounded source does not identify a J85 mark, so the existing General Electric J85 family identity is used.
Links
- Official Url
- https://www.nasa.gov/history/x1/appendixa1.html
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 22:47:38 UTC
- Updated Time
- September 8, 2026 at 10:03:23 UTC
- Image
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