Development and Flight Test Results of the Tri-Service X-19 V/STOL Aircraft

A new vertical take-off and landing aircraft, designated the X-19, has been built with high load carrying capacity, high cruise-speed, and extended hover capability. It is a tandem-wing, tilt-propeller vehicle powered by two turbo-shaft engines. The design meets the exacting performance, stability, and control requirements of hover and low-speed flight while maintaining high transport efficiency at cruise. The basic elements of the design are suitable for a series of new operating requirements for military and civil uses. The flight test results of the X-19 confirm the performance and handling predictions and, thus, prove that desired operating characteristics of V/STOL aircraft can be obtained.