Boeing Model 853-21 Quiet Bird

Model 835-21 Quiet Bird
Role	US Army observation study
Manufacturer	Boeing
Number built	1/2 scale mockup produced

The Boeing Model 853-21 Quiet Bird was a US Army reconnaissance plane study developed by Boeing in the early 1960s from their Model 831. ^[1] It was an early example of stealth technology, especially electromagnetic low-observability. ^[2]

Design and development

Development of the Model 853-21 began in 1962 at Boeing Wichita, only a 1/2 scale prototype was produced which never flew, but tests showed that it had a very low radar cross-section (stealth aircraft). ^[1]

Specifications

Data from Boeing ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
• Wingspan: 33 ft 7.8 in (10.26 m)
• Height: 7.7 ft (2.3 m)
• Wing area: 179.5 sq ft (16.67 m²)
• Airfoil: 65A415
• Empty weight: 6,000 lb (2,721 kg)
• Gross weight: 8,150 lb (3,696 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × General Electric CF700 , 4,200 lbf (19 kN) thrust

Performance

• Stall speed: 80 kn (92 mph, 150 km/h)
• Range: 1,160 nmi (1,330 mi, 2,150 km)
• Service ceiling: 47,000 ft (14,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,050 ft/min (15.5 m/s)
• Wing loading: 45.4 lb/sq ft (221 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.52

See also

Related development

• Boeing Bird of Prey

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Lockheed Have Blue
• Northrop Tacit Blue

References

1. "Boeing Images - Search Result for "Quiet Bird"". secure.boeingimages.com. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
2. Thomas Tamblyn; "Boeing's 'Alien' Looking Stealth Fighter From The 60s Looks Futuristic Even Today", Huffington Post, 2015. (retrieved 29 June 2023).

External links

• "Never-Seen Photos Of Boeing's 1960s Stealth Jet Concept That Predicted The Future". foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.