Experimental aircraft walkaround vol.1: Rockwell-Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm X31 Vector

Subject:  Rockwell-Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm X31 Vector
Location: Deutches Museum, Munich, Germany

Purpose: X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability program was designed to test fighter thrust vectoring technology. Thrust vectoring allows the X-31 to fly in a direction other than where the nose is pointing, resulting in significantly more maneuverability than most conventional fighters. An advanced flight control system provides controlled flight at high angles of attack where conventional aircraft would stall.