From: Mary Shafer <shafer@reseng.dfrc.nasa.gov>
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.military
Subject: Re: Weird question:
Date: 08 Apr 1998 11:56:55 -0700

"Zorak" <someone@somewhere.net> writes:

> I have a weird question: has anyone attempted to convert a cruise missile
> like the tomahawk into a piloted aircraft? (without the warhead, of course!)
> I think I remember hearing once that some woman had a piloted version of the
> tomahawk.

In 1993 two employees of Scaled Composites reported on "Manned Test
Flight of an Unmanned Air Vehicle" at the SETP Symposium.  However,
they didn't get a written version into the Proceedings, so that's
about all I can say specifically.  The general technique involved
adding a very limited instrument panel and pilot controls, with the
pilot straddling the vehicle, I think somewhere near the cg.  I
believe they provided a backrest and foot pegs for pilot stability.

Shades of Slim Pickins, which is what came to everyone's mind
immediately on seeing the picture pf the pilot riding the vehicle.

Regarding the identity of the vehicle, all I can say for sure is that
it wasn't a Tomahawk.  I don't remember what it was and don't think it
was a cruise missile anyway.

--
Mary Shafer               NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
SR-71 Flying Qualities Lead Engineer     Of course I don't speak for NASA
shafer@reseng.dfrc.nasa.gov                               DoD #362 KotFR
URL http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/People/Shafer/mary.html
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