The Northrop XP-79: The Flying Wing Fighter That Never Made It
The Northrop XP-79 was one of the most radical fighter aircraft concepts of World War II, designed to push the boundaries of aerial combat. Built in the mid-1940s, this flying wing jet had no conventional fuselage and was meant to be a high-speed, high-maneuverability interceptor—and even a ramming aircraft.
Why Was the Northrop XP-79 Built?
During World War II, aircraft manufacturers were exploring new ways to increase speed, agility, and survivability in combat. The U.S. Army Air Forces wanted an unconventional fighter that could outmaneuver enemy aircraft and withstand extreme battle conditions.
✔ Flying Wing Concept – Designed without a traditional fuselage to reduce drag and improve maneuverability.
✔ Jet-Powered Interceptor – Planned to use turbojet propulsion for high-speed dogfighting.
✔ Ramming Capabilities – Originally envisioned as an armored aircraft that could physically ram enemy bombers and survive the impact.
The XP-79 was developed by Northrop, a company already pioneering flying wing aircraft with designs like the XB-35 and YB-49 bombers.
Photo Credit: planehistoria.com
What Was Its Intended Purpose?
The XP-79 was built to be a fast, highly maneuverable fighter that could engage enemy bombers and fighters in unique ways.
✔ High-Speed Interception – Its jet-powered flying wing design was intended to allow quick attacks on enemy formations.
✔ Rugged Combat Endurance – Originally, the XP-79 was supposed to be made of magnesium alloy, making it tough enough for aerial ramming attacks.
✔ Unique Control System – The pilot lay prone in the cockpit, reducing G-force effects and allowing sharper maneuvers.
The design was later modified to remove the ramming concept, but the XP-79 was still meant to be a highly survivable, jet-powered fighter.
Photo Credit: planehistoria.com
Why Was It Never Mass Produced?
Despite its bold concept, the XP-79 never progressed past the prototype stage for several reasons:
The Prone Pilot Position Was Problematic
- The pilot lay flat in the cockpit, intending to reduce G-force effects, but it complicated visibility and control.
- The U.S. Army found that this unusual flight position created safety and handling issues.
Jet Engine Delays and Performance Issues
- The XP-79 was originally designed to use rocket engines, but these proved unreliable, so it was switched to jet propulsion.
- The Westinghouse 19B turbojets used in the prototype lacked sufficient power for the aircraft to meet its expected performance.
Tragic Test Flight Crash
- On September 12, 1945, during the XP-79's first flight, the aircraft lost control and crashed, killing test pilot Harry Crosby.
- The catastrophic failure ended further development, and the project was abandoned.
The War Ended, and Jet Fighters Advanced Rapidly
- With World War II concluding, the U.S. shifted focus to more conventional jet fighters, like the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star and North American F-86 Sabre.
- These aircraft proved far more practical than the XP-79’s experimental design.
Ultimately, the XP-79 was an ambitious experiment that was too radical and flawed to continue.
What Are the Takeaways from the XP-79?
Though it never entered service, the XP-79 left behind important lessons for future aviation development:
✔ Flying Wings Work—But Need Stability – While the XP-79 failed, Northrop continued refining flying wing technology, leading to aircraft like the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the upcoming B-21 Raider.
✔ The Prone Pilot Concept Was Unworkable – While intended to reduce G-force strain, lying flat limited visibility and control, making it impractical for combat aircraft.
✔ Jet Fighters Need Practicality, Not Just Speed – The XP-79 proved that maneuverability and survivability must balance with ease of operation, a lesson applied in later fighter designs.
Like other ahead-of-their-time aircraft—such as the Lockheed XFV-1—the XP-79 was an incredible vision that simply didn’t align with the technology and needs of its era.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com
Conclusion: A Fighter That Never Took Off
The Northrop XP-79 was a futuristic jet-powered flying wing, but engineering problems, dangerous design choices, and an early fatal crash ended its development.
Although it was never mass-produced, it helped shape future flying wing aircraft, proving that while some ideas may fail, they often pave the way for groundbreaking aviation advancements.
While the XP-79 never took to the skies in combat, its influence lives on in today’s stealth bombers and advanced fighter jet designs—a reminder that even failures help push aviation forward.
See More:
Plane Historia - Northrop XP-79: The Flying Battering Ram
History Net - Jack Northrop's "Flying Ram"