HORTEN HX-2 UPDATE

The striking Horten HX-2 flying wing that was unveiled in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in April 2018 has completed the initial stages of its flight testing and continues to progress through ground-vibration and flutter testing at Horten headquarters near Eisenach.

- Jason McDowell

During the initial flight tests, the HX-2 was flown at speeds up to 124 mph and has returned promising preliminary data. The Horten HX-2 is a two-seat, tailless light aircraft without a fuselage.

When flown at the long-range cruise speed of 87 mph, the HX-2’s 100 hp Rotax 912 iS Sport engine demonstrated a fuel burn of 2.64 gallons per hour. With 64.4 gallons of fuel capacity, this translates into a preliminary range of 2,123 miles and an endurance of over 24 hours. Horten predicts a maximum cruise speed of approximately 170 mph.