USAF UAV Went Down On Rogers Dry Lakebed At Edwards AFB

An Air Force Research Laboratory-sponsored X-56A unmanned air vehicle went down Nov. 19 at approximately 9:30 Pacific Daylight Time on Rogers Dry Lakebed test range at Edwards AFB, CA. The mishap occurred shortly after takeoff.

Initial estimates report severe damage to the vehicle. There are no reports of injuries or property damage at this time. Edwards AFB emergency responders were on scene.

An accident investigation team has been established to investigate what occurred, identify lessons learned and determine how to move forward.

The X-56A is an experimental unmanned multi-utility technology test-bed designed to demonstrate active flutter suppression and gust load alleviation in flight. The aircraft previously made 16 successful flights spending approximately six hours in the air.

According to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the program, the X-56A Multi-utility Technology Test bed (MUTT) is an innovative modular unmanned air vehicle designed to test active flutter suppression and gust load alleviation. The X-56A will test to the edge of the flight envelope in an effort to mature technologies that will lead to more slender, lightweight, high-aspect-ratio wings, resulting in better aircraft performance.

(Source: USAF news release. Image provided by NASA)

FMI: www.af.mil, www.nasa.gov