High Alpha Research Vehicle
The High Alpha Research Vehicle was an American modified McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet used by NASA in a three-phase program investigating controlled flight at high alpha using thrust vectoring, modifications to the flight controls, and with actuated forebody strakes. The program lasted from April 1987 to September 1996.
NASA reported that in one phase of the project, Armstrong Flight Research Center "research pilots William H. "Bill" Dana and Ed Schneider completed the envelope expansion flights in February 1992. Demonstrated capabilities included stable flight at approximately 70 degrees angle of attack and rolling at high rates at 65 degrees angle of attack. Controlled rolling would have been nearly impossible above 35 degrees without vectoring." Performance figures were not listed for other phases.
The aircraft is now on display at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton, Virginia.
