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Lockheed Martin X-62A Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft Family

The X-62A VISTA is a heavily modified NF-16D variable-stability research aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. First flown in 1992 and redesignated X-62A in 2021, it provides a radical-control-law and autonomy testbed whose modifications make return to a standard operational F-16 configuration impractical; the platform supported autonomous air-combat and advanced flight-test research.

Lockheed Martin X-62A Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft Family
U.S. Air Force 412th Test Wing photo by Richard Gonzales · Public domain: the Commons API metadata identifies this as a U.S. Air Force official-duty work (LicenseShortName/UsageTerms Public domain, Copyrighted False), sourced to DVIDS image 8417504 / VIRIN 240430-F-DG623-1312. Use remains subject to DoD limitations concerning intellectual property, emblems/insignia, identifiable people, and endorsement. This AeroVia object uses the official Wikimedia Commons server-generated rendition of the unchanged record, not a locally resized derivative. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
X-62AX-62A VISTANF-16D VISTAVariable In-flight Simulator AircraftVariable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft
Family Name
Lockheed Martin X-62A VISTA
Full Name
Lockheed Martin X-62A Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft Family
Roles
militaryresearchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
Status
active
Type
aircraft

Details

Aircraft Specs
Configuration
fixed_wing
Operating Modes
land
Takeoff Landing Capabilities
conventional
Description
The X-62A VISTA is a heavily modified NF-16D variable-stability research aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. First flown in 1992 and redesignated X-62A in 2021, it provides a radical-control-law and autonomy testbed whose modifications make return to a standard operational F-16 configuration impractical; the platform supported autonomous air-combat and advanced flight-test research.
First Flight Year
1,992
Manufacturer
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      fuselage
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      airframe
      Variant Notes
      One exact F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan in the X-62A VISTA rear-fuselage powerplant installation.
    Name
    X-62A VISTA F110-GE-100 installation
    Notes
    The U.S. Air Force identifies one General Electric F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan as the X-62A VISTA powerplant. The installation is represented at rear-fuselage placement; no second engine or alternate F-16 engine option is asserted.

Links

Official Url
https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2714370/nf-16d-vista-becomes-x-62a/

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 15, 2026 at 03:07:37 UTC
Updated Time
September 8, 2026 at 08:46:18 UTC
Image
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