Boeing's Forgotten Stealth Fighter: The X-32's Notable Features

The Boeing X-32 was an unsuccessful contender in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, but it had several notable design and performance characteristics. One of its best features was its simple and cost-effective design, which minimized production costs by reducing the number of parts and variations across different service variants.

Another notable feature was its large delta wing, made from carbon fiber composite materials, which provided structural efficiency and allowed for a substantial amount of internal fuel storage. The X-32 could carry up to 20,000 pounds of fuel, making it advantageous for range and endurance.

The aircraft's handling qualities were also praised by test pilots, who compared its stability and control responsiveness favorably to the F/A-18 Hornet. Commander Phillip 'Rowdy' Yates, a Navy test pilot, said that he would take the X-32 to the ship tomorrow due to its smooth and precise control.

Despite these positive aspects, the X-32 lost out to Lockheed Martin's X-35 in the JSF competition. The main reason for this was the vertical landing performance of the X-35, which was superior to the X-32's V/STOL design.