The Northrop M2-F3 is a heavyweight lifting body rebuilt from the Northrop M2-F2 after it crashed at the Dryden Flight Research Center in 1967. It was modified with an additional third vertical fin - centered between the tip fins - to improve control characteristics. The "M" refers to "manned" and "F" refers to "flight" version.

This M2-F3 lifting body was the first of the heavyweight, wingless lifting body research craft of the 1960s. The lifting body programs tested the concept of achieving aerodynamic lift from just the shape of wingless craft, a concept used in designing the Space Shuttle.

2014年2月28日 · M2-F3. NASA pilots said the M2-F2 had lateral control problems that led to the crash, even though it had a stability augmentation control system. When the M2-F2 was rebuilt and redesignated the M2-F3, it was modified with an additional third vertical fin – centered between the tip fins – to improve control characteristics.

2016年1月29日 · The M2-F3 was a joint program between NASA and Northrop Corporation. The aircraft flew 26 times between 1970 and 1972 and achieved its first powered flight on November 25, 1970. During testing, the aircraft reached a top altitude of 71,500 feet and a top speed of 1,064 miles per hour (Mach 1.6).

三种新型升力体原型机中最先试飞的是m2-f2。这种圆底、平顶、圆头的半锥形飞机长6.8米，宽2.9米，由尾部的两个垂直方向舵操纵，干1965年6月1 5日交付给nasa。尽管个头和形状与m2-f1大同小异，但它全部由金属制成，重近2.3吨，约为m2-f1的6倍。

The highest altitude reached by the M2-F3 was 71,500 feet on Dec. 20, 1972, the date of its last flight, with NASA pilot John Manke at the controls. A reaction jet control system, similar to thrusters used on orbiting spacecraft, was also installed on the M2-F3 to obtain research data about their effectiveness for vehicle control.

The M2-F2/F3 was the first of the heavy-weight, entry-configuration (i.e., configured for re-entry to the atmosphere from space) lifting bodies. Its successful development as a research test vehicle answered many of the generic questions about these vehicles. NASA donated the M2-F3 vehicle to the Smithsonian Institute in December 1973.

The M2-F2/F3 was the first of the heavy-weight, entry-configuration lifting bodies. Over 27 missions, the M2-F3 reached a top speed of 1,064 mph (Mach 1.6). Highest altitude reached by vehicle was 71,500 feet on Dec. 21, 1972, the date of …

The M2-F2/F3 was the first of the heavy-weight, entry-configuration (i.e., configured for re-entry to the atmosphere from space) lifting bodies. Its successful development as a research test vehicle answered many of the generic questions about these vehicles. NASA donated the M2-F3 vehicle to the Smithsonian Institute in December 1973.

Test vehicles called lifting bodies -- wingless aircraft that derive lift from their shape -- were a crucial step in developing the Space Shuttle orbiter. This M2-F3 lifting body completed 27 flights from 1967 through 1972.