<article><hdr>Ground shot of the Martin X-24</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The X series of special research vehicles was instigated in 1948 to enable manufacturers to develop advanced aircraft designs to enable technology to be investigated. These included the development of rocket power, the ram jet, supersonic flight as well as aircraft with STOL/VTOL capabilities. None of these types were intended for production, as their design was purely for research with the findings intended to be incorporated into air and spacecraft development. The Martin X-24 was a joint NASA/US Air Force project to develop basic stability performance at speeds ranging from 1,000 miles per hour down to approximately 200 mph (landing speed for the X-24). The X-24B was a lifting body configuration capable of high speed and was highly manoeuvrable even at extreme altitudes.</hi>
