Bell X-5 Variable-Sweep Research Aircraft Family
The Bell X-5 was a two-aircraft research family built to demonstrate practical in-flight variable wing sweep. Its wings moved from approximately 20 to 60 degrees while the wing assembly translated to manage stability, allowing one aircraft to investigate both low-speed takeoff and high-speed flight; the resulting data influenced later variable-geometry designs.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Bell X-5X-5Bell variable-sweep research aircraft
- Family Name
- Bell X-5
- Full Name
- Bell X-5 Variable-Sweep Research Aircraft Family
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Bell X-5 was a two-aircraft research family built to demonstrate practical in-flight variable wing sweep. Its wings moved from approximately 20 to 60 degrees while the wing assembly translated to manage stability, allowing one aircraft to investigate both low-speed takeoff and high-speed flight; the resulting data influenced later variable-geometry designs.
- First Flight Year
- 1,951
- Manufacturer
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 7, 2026 at 03:17:15 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 7, 2026 at 03:17:15 UTC