From: | kerry@hungerford.chch.cri.nz (Kerry Ferrand) |
Title: | 'BLACK' WING-DESIGN PROJECT REVEALED |
Source: | Flight International |
Date: | March 05, 1996 |
believed to be related to at least one US Department of Defense "black"
aircraft project.
The company is testing a pressurised-wing concept, using rapid
prototyping methods at its B-2 division plant in Pico Rivera, California.
The "distributed-exhaust" system, as the concept is also known, is
believed to be tied to advanced design work on classified military
programmes, including a low-observable special-forces transport.
Northrop Grumman declines to comment, saying only that it is potentially
aimed at "several commercial and military applications". The work was
revealed when a design-equipment supplier inadvertently released
information on its part in the programme.
The US design uses pressurised air bled from the engine pumped through
the upper surface of the wing.