The Williams X-Jet , created by Williams International , was a small, single-person, light-weight, Vertical Take Off and Landing ( VTOL ) aircraft powered by a modified Williams F107 turbofan aircraft engine — designated WR-19-7 — after some minor modifications. The vehicle was nicknamed "The Flying Pulpit " for its shape. It was designed to carry one operator and to be controlled by leaning in the direction of desired travel and by modulating engine output power. It could move in any direction, accelerate rapidly, hover and rotate on its axis, stay aloft for up to 45 minutes and travel at speeds up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). It was evaluated by the United States Army in the 1980s, but was deemed inferior to the capabilities of helicopters and small, uncrewed aircraft, and so the development of the X-Jet was discontinued.
5-505: Other VTOL systems developed by Williams International included a jet-powered flying belt, developed in 1969, which was powered by a Williams WR19 turbofan, and X-Jet's predecessor, the WASP I (Williams Aerial Systems Platform), which was developed in the 1970s and was powered by the more powerful WR19-9 BRP5, rated at 670 lbf (2.98 kN ) thrust and a specific fuel consumption of 0.47 lb/lbf·h (13.31 g/kN·s). U.S. patent 4,447,024
10-535: Is a small turbofan engine made by Williams International . The F107 was designed to propel cruise missiles . It has been used as the powerplant for the AGM-86 ALCM , and BGM-109 Tomahawk , as well as the experimental Kaman KSA-100 SAVER and Williams X-Jet flying platform. Data from Aircraft engines of the World 1970 The Williams International F122 is a twin-shaft, axial-centrifugal-flow turbofan that
15-745: Is similar to the F107 in configuration but has a maximum thrust of 900 lbf (3.33 to 4.0 kN). The F122 is used to power the KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile , and was the powerplant for the cancelled AGM-137 TSSAM air-launched cruise missile. Although the AGM-137 was cancelled, the F122 was first used for the Taurus KEPD when it was flown aboard that missile in April 2002. The initial version of this article
20-522: The counter-rotating micro turbofans were performed. The first crewed, untethered flight was conducted in April 1980. Ray Le Grande is one of the WASP II operators trained by Williams International to fly the X-Jet. Data from General characteristics Performance Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Williams F107 The Williams F107 (company designation WR19 )
25-744: Was issued for the Williams X-Jet. Technical information and drawings are available at the United States Patent and Trademark Office . The WASP II uses a slightly modified and derated version of the WR-19-A7D, yielding 600 lbf thrust from its micro turbofan engine and is designated WR19-7, rated at 570 lbf thrust, after minor modifications and said derating. Modifications to the WR-19-A7D included accessories — replacement of pyro starter with electric/air start — and exhaust system modifications. No internal modifications to
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