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The Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT) program was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, CA and the USAF Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH to decrease the time needed to flight test advanced design technology by providing a low-cost, low-risk test bed vehicle. Following control technical development in 1975, NASA awarded a contract to Rockwell International for two HiMAT Remotely-Piloted Research Vehicles (RPRV). The Rockwell HiMAT consisted of a basic core vehicle containing the power plant, control, and telemetry systems and modular main wings, canard and tail surfaces, and engine intake and afterburner/exhaust structures to allow flight testing of alternate designs. The first of the HiMATs was delivered to NASA in March 1978 and the second in June, with the first free flight occurring in July 1979. The Rockwell HiMAT was controlled by a ground-based pilot through television, radar, and telemetry links to the vehicle with backup systems on chase aircraft and a self-righting system on the RPRV in the event of ground control loss. One HiMAT was donated to the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) and placed on display in May 1989.

 Identifier

NASM.1989.0059

Creator

Rockwell International

Date

1976-1981

Provenance

NASA/Dryden FRC, Transfer, 1989, 1989-0059, unknown

Extent

5.68 Cubic feet ((1 slim legal document box) (5 records center boxes) (2 flatboxes))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of documentation on the NASM HiMAT. The material includes correspondence, color photographs, test information, computer programs, printouts, punch tapes, and schematics.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Topics

Aerodynamics

Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT)

HiMAT Remotely-Piloted Research Vehicles (RPRV)

Drone aircraft

Airplanes -- Flight testing

Aeronautics, Military

Aeronautics, Commercial

Aeronautics

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Reports

Photographs

Correspondence

Software

Punched cards