Top 4 Points: The Boeing X-32 competed against the Lockheed Martin X-35 to become the next Joint Strike Fighter, but ultimately lost.
-Boeing developed two prototypes, the X-32A and X-32B, showcasing speed, weapon capacity, and take-off/landing capabilities.
-However, design changes and concerns over thrust and efficiency, along with Lockheed's single, versatile X-35 prototype, gave Lockheed the edge.
-Despite the loss, Boeing quietly accepted the decision, later incorporating lessons learned into other projects like the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and the X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle.
Years ago, both the Boeing X-32 and the Lockheed Martin X-35 were battling to win the right to become the next Joint Strike Fighter. As history notes, Boeing lost to the Lockheed Martin F-35. However, the rivalry between the two airplanes may have improved the design and performance of the F-35 Lighting II.
Should Boeing X-32 Have Made Two Prototypes?
Boeing had two demonstrators – the X-32A and the X-32B. Both flew in 2000 and 2001 on over 140 test flights. They showed off their speed at MACH 1.6, in-flight refueling ability, and side weapons bay operations that could hold six air-to-air missiles. The X-32 originally had a delta wing, but this design was dropped later for a planned conventional wing design for the final F-32, although the new wing model only existed on paper and in mock-ups. The need to change wing designs later hurt the Boeing demonstrators in the competition.
There were also improvements to the nose design and cockpit canopy. The X-32B was adept at short-take-off and vertical landing, while the X-32A was able to do conventional take-off and landing and show attributes of carrier approach flights for the navy. The prototypes had a “chin inlet” to improve their speed. Chin inlets also give more air to the turbine which leads to better maneuverability at high angles of attack. The X-32 prototypes showed the Department of Defense early on and that the Boeing model was ready to go and would likely be easier to produce with a less complex design.
Alternatively, the single Lockheed Martin demonstrator could do both conventional take-off and landing and vertical take-off and landing. This was an important requirement for the competition between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Boeing promised that the final F-32 would be capable of doing both, but the Lockheed Martin X-35 had the advantage of already having the dual take-off and landing capability.
The X-32A and X-32B were heavy at 50,000 pounds and there were concerns in the DOD that it would not have the same amount of thrust as the X-35. Boeing was also late to the game when it came to the wing design. Using two prototypes was also less efficient since the X-35 just had one demonstrator.
Ultimately, Boeing lost the competition. It notably did not sue the DOD for unfair competition or put up much of a fight about the decision. The defense contractor later said that it used the research and development from the X-32A and X-32B to help the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet program and stealth attributes assisted in devising the X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle demonstrator concept.
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer.
