02-08-2025
A-12 to XF-85: 5 unluckiest fighter jets in history that failed to fly due to...
A-12 to XF-85: 5 unluckiest fighter jets in history that failed to fly due to...
In the history of fighter jets, there have been many fighter jet designs that were in the news due to their unique design and technology. But they never flew. Billions of dollars were spent on these projects, research was done for many years. But in the end these jets remained limited to blueprints, scale models or incomplete prototypes. Let's know about 5 such most unique and unlucky fighter jets.
Here we are talking about 5 such unique fighter jets which could never fly.
McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II: Called the 'Flying Dorito' because of its triangular shape, the A-12 Avenger II was to become the US Navy's advanced stealth bomber. More than $5 billion was spent on it, but the project was canceled in 1991 due to cost and delays. None of the prototypes flew.
Northrop XP-79 – 'Flying Ram': The XP-79, called the 'Flying Ram', resembled a tailless flying wing and was designed to shoot down enemy bombers. Its first test flight took place in 1945. But the jet crashed and the pilot died. After this the project was closed forever.
Lockheed L-133 Starjet – A Jet Ahead of Its Time: Designed in 1942, the L-133 Starjet was built with futuristic turbojets and canard wings, technology decades ahead of its time. But it was too advanced for WWII needs. As a result, the jet remained confined to blueprints and models and never flew.
Boeing X-32 – The weirdly shaped failed demo jet: The Boeing X-32 was built for the US Joint Strike Fighter competition. Its thick delta-wing design and performance flaws made it a failure. It was cancelled after test flights and its competitor, the X-35, was approved as the F-35.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin – 'Parasite' Jet: The XF-85 Goblin was a mini-jet. It was planned to be launched from the bomb bay of a B-36 bomber. A few test flights were made but its docking system proved to be extremely dangerous and several emergency landings had to be made. Eventually the project was scrapped after only a few trials.
