The Army XV-5A Lift Fan Flight Research Airplane

The XV-5A lift fan airplane is an Army (TRECOM) sponsored V/STOL research program and is designed to demonstrate the performance of a V/STOL gas coupled, lift fan system and its compatibility with a high subsonic speed aircraft. This paper summarizes the aircraft and propulsion system design and manufacture. Performance characteristics and design features along with the status of the program are also presented.