X-Planes & Prototypes - 1990s
In this last decade of the 2nd Millennium, development of advanced stealth aircraft continued at a slow but steady pace. Unlike the 1950s, during which America had an "anything goes" attitude toward experimental aircraft development, the 1990s were a time of deliberate and focused goal-specific technology research.
This was also the decade that saw the birth of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), more popularly known as drones. These remotely controlled surveillance and weapons platforms could move slowly and quietly over enemy positions, surgically targeting enemy forces without risking American lives.
Like in the 1990s, models of contemporary X-planes were few and far between, but those that did make it to market boasted designs that were as sleek and sinister as anything out of an old science-fiction fantasy.
This was also the decade that saw the birth of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), more popularly known as drones. These remotely controlled surveillance and weapons platforms could move slowly and quietly over enemy positions, surgically targeting enemy forces without risking American lives.
Like in the 1990s, models of contemporary X-planes were few and far between, but those that did make it to market boasted designs that were as sleek and sinister as anything out of an old science-fiction fantasy.
YF-23 BLACK WIDOW
(1990) Testors 1:72 |
GENERAL DYNAMICS A-12 AVENGER II (1991)
Anigrand Craftswork 1:72 |
BELL "EAGLE EYE" UAV
(1992) Unicraft 1:72 |
RQ-1A PREDATOR UCAV
(1995) Platz 1:72 |
BOEING BIRD OF PREY
(1996) Unicraft 1:72 |