Scaled Composites ATTT
Encyclopedia
The Scaled Composites Model 133-4.62 ATTT, or Advanced Technology Tactical Transport was a technology demonstration project built by Burt Rutan
's Scaled Composites
in 1986 under contract to DARPA. The aircraft built was a 62% scaled version of a proposed tandem wing
STOL
transport. The project's goal was to demonstrate novel applications of technology to enable new transport aircraft to operate out of shorter airfields. The core of this technology was a novel utilization of eight Fowler flaps, which proved quite successful.
The ATTT was essentially two different aircraft during the life of the program. Initially, the aircraft was built with a standard-configuration cruciform tail. In this mode, it flew 51 test flights which evaluated performance and handling qualities. After deficiencies were identified by the flight test program, the tail was redesigned, and the aircraft was rebuilt with a twin-boom type tail.
The ATTT was powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada
PT6A
turboprop engines.
The aircraft has been de-registered and is currently in storage at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base
.
Burt Rutan
Elbert Leander "Burt" Rutan is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft...
's Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States...
in 1986 under contract to DARPA. The aircraft built was a 62% scaled version of a proposed tandem wing
Tandem wing
thumb|right|QAC Quickie Q2A tandem wing aircraft usually involves two full-sized wings, both of which are full airfoils. Sometimes an aircraft of this configuration can look like a variation on the biplane, but is in fact very different. The forward wing is often technically a canard, fitted with...
STOL
STOL
STOL is an acronym for short take-off and landing, a term used to describe aircraft with very short runway requirements.-Definitions:There is no one accepted definition of STOL and many different definitions have been used by different authorities and nations at various times and for a myriad of...
transport. The project's goal was to demonstrate novel applications of technology to enable new transport aircraft to operate out of shorter airfields. The core of this technology was a novel utilization of eight Fowler flaps, which proved quite successful.
The ATTT was essentially two different aircraft during the life of the program. Initially, the aircraft was built with a standard-configuration cruciform tail. In this mode, it flew 51 test flights which evaluated performance and handling qualities. After deficiencies were identified by the flight test program, the tail was redesigned, and the aircraft was rebuilt with a twin-boom type tail.
The ATTT was powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada is a Canadian aircraft engine manufacturer. PWC's headquarters are in Longueuil, Quebec, just outside Montreal. It is a division of the larger US-based Pratt & Whitney , itself a business unit of United Technologies...
PT6A
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 is one of the most popular turboprop aircraft engines in history, and is produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada. The PT6 family is particularly well known for its extremely high reliability, with MTBO's on the order of 9000 hours in some models. In US military use, they...
turboprop engines.
The aircraft has been de-registered and is currently in storage at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
.