The X-44 Manta was a conceptual design by Lockheed Martin, based on the original F-22 Raptor.
The X-44 was essentially a tailless Raptor with large delta wing and advanced thrust vectoring nozzles replacing normal aerodynamic control surfaces.
Benefits would be a more stealthy, light airframe, with increased fuel volume and maneuverability.
The plan was to convert an early F-22 prototype but the program was allegedly terminated in 2.000.
The X-44 render looks similar to the proposed FB-22, reportedly cancelled in 2.006.
It’s hard to know what to make of many alleged black projects.
The X-44 designation is said to be reserved for possible NASA full-scale manned tailless flight control demonstrator.
The X-44A has been referred to as the MANTA, or Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft.
A conceptual drawing of an X-44 is said to resemble a tailless F-22, and is said to be based on an F-22 airframe, engines and systems.
The X-44A thrust-vectoring test aircraft would have pitch/yaw vectoring nozzles and would not only be tailless but would have no moveable aerodynamic surfaces.
The X-44 MANTA is a converted delta-winged F-22 which uses vectored thrust as its sole means of control.
The plan is to convert an F-22 so that it uses its thrust vectoring nozzles for its flight control, without rudders, stabilitors, or ailerons. MANTA could be used to validate the planform for the FB-22.
Thrust vectoring the ability to turn the jet exhaust allows an aircraft to create forces with its motors similar to the forces created by aerodynamic surfaces such as flaps, rudders & stabilators.
The result would be a structurally simple, light airframe, with increased fuel volume and fewer gaps to cause stealth problems.
Could some of these exotic aircraft be one and the same?
How much disinformation is out there?
The X-44 was essentially a flying wing design with a name similar to the TR-3A “Black Manta”, although in the X-44′s case, MANTA apparently denoted Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft.
Could this be a case of one black project’s name being mistakenly attributed to another, like TR-3 and Tier III?
In 2.005, GlobalSecurity.org reported that the X-44 designation may be reserved for a possible NASA full-scale manned tailless flight control demonstrator.
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