Bell X-22
| X-22 | |
|---|---|
| Bell X-22 in flight | |
| General information | |
| Type | V/STOL prototype |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopters |
| Status | 1 stored, 1 destroyed |
| Primary user | United States |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| First flight | 17 March 1966 |
| Retired | October 1984 |
The Bell X-22 is an American V/STOL X-plane with four tilting ducted fans. Takeoff was to selectively occur either with the propellers tilted vertically upwards, or on a short runway with the nacelles tilted forward at approximately 45°. Additionally, the X-22 was to provide more insight into the tactical application of vertical takeoff troop transporters such as the preceding Hiller X-18 and the X-22's successor, the Bell XV-15. Another program requirement was a true airspeed in level flight of at least 525 km/h (326 mph; 283 knots).
The X-22 was not a prototype of the V-22 Osprey, although it was a part of the development of tilt-rotor aircraft and Bell's work in this field of study.