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NASA M2-F2 Lifting-Body Research Aircraft Family

The NASA M2-F2 was a Northrop-built heavyweight lifting-body research aircraft flown in the joint NASA/USAF program to study controllable wingless atmospheric-reentry shapes. Its first glide flight was July 12, 1966; after 16 glide missions, a May 10, 1967 landing accident damaged the vehicle, which NASA and Northrop rebuilt and redesignated as the improved M2-F3 with a center fin.

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Identity

Aliases
M2-F2M2-F2 lifting bodyNorthrop M2-F2M2-F2 Heavyweight Lifting Body
Family Name
NASA M2-F2
Full Name
NASA M2-F2 Lifting-Body Research Aircraft Family
Roles
researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
Status
retired
Type
aircraft

Details

Aircraft Specs
Configuration
other
Operating Modes
land
Description
The NASA M2-F2 was a Northrop-built heavyweight lifting-body research aircraft flown in the joint NASA/USAF program to study controllable wingless atmospheric-reentry shapes. Its first glide flight was July 12, 1966; after 16 glide missions, a May 10, 1967 landing accident damaged the vehicle, which NASA and Northrop rebuilt and redesignated as the improved M2-F3 with a center fin.
First Flight Year
1,966
Last Flight Year
1,967
Manufacturer

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Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 21:27:59 UTC
Updated Time
August 13, 2026 at 21:27:59 UTC