Aircraft Reference Information (X-15A-2)

X-15A-2.

Engine

One (1) Reaction Motors XLR-99 "throttable" liquid-fuel turborocket engine

60,000 lbs (thrust)

Aircraft Weight with External Tanks

Launch	51,600 lbs
Burnout (drop tanks jettisoned)	16,500 lbs
Landing (drop tanks jettisoned)	15,600 lbs

Aircraft Weight without External Tanks

Launch	32,250 lbs
Burnout	16,200 lbs
Landing	15,500 lbs

Speed Limitations

Note: The highest Mach number attained by the real X-15A-2 rocket plane was Mach 6.7 (October 3, 1967), the fastest flight of the X-15 research program. The current maximum speed attainable in the simulator is approx. Mach 4.65.

MMO – Maximum Aircraft Operating Speed (Mach)	4.65 Mach
Maximum Speed with External Tanks Attached (Mach)	2.6 Mach
VLO – Maximum Gear Operating Speed	300 KIAS
VLE – Maximum Landing Gear Extension Speed	300 KIAS
VFE – Maximum Flap Extended Speed (40 degrees)	300 KIAS
q – Maximum Dynamic Pressure without External Tanks	2200 psf
q – Maximum Dynamic Pressure with External Tanks	1000 psf
Maximum Acceleration (above 50,000 feet)	8 G

Mach Limitations vs Altitude

10,000 feet	0.8 Mach
20,000 feet	1.6 Mach
30,000 feet	1.8 Mach
40,000 feet	2.8 Mach
50,000 feet	3.5 Mach
60,000 feet	4.0 Mach
70,000 to 100,000 feet	4.65 Mach

Fictitious Ground Takeoff in the Simulator (standard temperature, sea level pressure altitude)

Note: The real X-15A-2 was not designed for a normal takeoff from the ground but was launched at a high altitude from a modified B-52 carrier. The X-15A-2 SE addon can take off from the ground, like any other aircraft in the simulator.

V1 – Aircraft Takeoff Decision Speed (51,600 lbs)	250 KIAS
VR – Aircraft Rotation Speed	275 KIAS
V2 – Aircraft Takeoff Safety Speed	290 KIAS

Launch from a Fictitious Carrier Aircraft in the Simulator

Note: It is possible to simulate a high altitude launch from a fictitious carrier aircraft by using the slew mode commands* to reposition the X-15A-2 without flying in real time or by changing the altitude and speed settings in the map dialog box. A high altitude launch flight can also be loaded.

Recommended Launch Altitude	38,000 to 45,000 feet
Recommended Launch Speed	0.75 to 0.82 Mach

External Propellant Tanks Release

Note: Under normal flight conditions, external tanks should be released as soon as practical after they are empty, at about 70,000 feet and Mach 2.1, in a zero-G normal load factor condition and an angle of attack of about 10 degrees. The external tanks must be released before an attempt is made to jettison internal system propellants.

The maximum Mach number to be attained by the X-15A-2 with the external tanks attached is 2.6. The tanks must be released before reaching that speed. This limit is imposed because flight characteristics for this configuration have not been determined for higher Mach numbers.

Maximum Mach Number with External Tanks Attached	2.6 Mach
Recommended Mach Number for External Tanks Release	2.0 to 2.3 Mach
Recommended Altitude for External Tanks Release	65,000 to 75,000 feet
Maximum Angle of Attack with External Tanks Attached	16 degrees
Recommended Angle of Attack for External Tanks Release	5 to 10 degrees
Normal Load Factor Condition Recommended	0-G

Altitude Limitations (Typical)

Note: The highest altitude attained by the real-world X-15A-2 aircraft was 249,000 feet (August 3, 1966).

Aircraft Operating Altitude	45,000 to 150,000 feet
Aircraft Ceiling (maximum) Altitude	350,000 feet

Other Limitations (Typical)

Maximum Allowable Rate of Roll

100 degrees per second

Speed Brakes

The speed brakes are not to be used at full deflection below Mach 1.5.

Note: The speed brakes on this airplane are not designed for use as a low-speed drag device. Their design function is to provide necessary drag conditions for control of the airplane at supersonic speeds and relatively high altitudes.

Prohibited Maneuvers

The real X-15 airplane was restricted from performing the following maneuvers:

1. Spin

2. Snap Rolls

3. Snap Maneuvers

Propellant Jettison

Note: While approaching the landing site, the remaining propellants must be jettisoned to minimize fire or explosion hazards and to lower the weight of the aircraft.

Maximum Speed at 30,000 feet	0.60 Mach
Maximum Speed at 15,000 feet	0.45 Mach

Ventral (or Dummy Ramjet) Jettison

Note: Under normal flight conditions, the ventral (or the dummy ramjet) should not be jettisoned except during landing approach. The ventral (or ramjet) must be jettisoned to provide ground clearance for the landing gear.

Maximum Mach Number	300 KIAS or 3.5 Mach, whichever comes first
Recommended Altitude	5000 feet
Minimum Altitude	1500 feet
Maximum Angle of Attack	16 degrees
Maximum Rate of Roll	30 degrees per second

Landing

High Key Point (106 seconds from landing)	15,200 feet, 300 KIAS, gear and flaps up (45-degree bank turn)
180-Turn (82 seconds)	11900 feet, 270 KIAS, gear and flaps up
Low Key Point (58 seconds)	8700 feet, 240 KIAS, gear and flaps up (180 degrees opposite to the runway)
90-Degree Point (36 seconds)	5800 feet, 240 KIAS, gear and flaps up (90 degrees perpendicular to the runway)
Ventral (or ramjet) Jettison	5000 feet, 240 KIAS (lined up with the runway)
Flaps Extended (15 seconds)	3200 feet, 240 KIAS, roll out of turn
Gear Down (10 seconds)	2700 feet, 240 KIAS, 1.29 G pullout
Flare Completed	2200 feet, 174 KIAS
Touchdown (0 seconds)	174 KIAS
VREF - Landing Approach Speed (flaps extended, gear down)	174 KIAS
Aircraft Stalling Speed (flaps up)	140 KIAS
Aircraft Stalling Speed (flaps down)	100 KIAS

Note: The real X-15A-2 aircraft reference information was modified for use in the simulator. For explanations of speeds used on this tab, see "V-speeds" in the Learning Center Glossary (Flight Simulator X).

*: For instructions on how to use the slew commands to reposition the aircraft without flying in real time, see "Slewing" in the Learning Center Glossary (Flight Simulator X).