The only prototype of the American ARES (Agile Responsive Effective Support) close air support aircraft, which was built 34 years ago, took off.
The unique attack aircraft is being used for testing, writes Army Recognition. Eyewitnesses spotted the ARES during a flight near the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. “This close air support aircraft concept demonstrator continues to serve as a proving ground for the U.S. Army. It is noteworthy that 34 years have passed since its first flight on February 19, 1990,” the publication writes. ARES was developed in response to a request from the US Army for an inexpensive attack aircraft to support ground forces.
The military wanted an unpretentious aircraft with high maneuverability at low altitudes and resistance to stalling. Therefore, the specialists at Scaled Composites built the ARES according to the canard design and equipped it with a front horizontal tail.
The main weapon of the aircraft was the six-barreled GAU-12 cannon of 25 mm caliber. The attack aircraft could also carry missiles.
The unique attack aircraft is being used for testing, writes Army Recognition. Eyewitnesses spotted the ARES during a flight near the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. “This close air support aircraft concept demonstrator continues to serve as a proving ground for the U.S. Army. It is noteworthy that 34 years have passed since its first flight on February 19, 1990,” the publication writes. ARES was developed in response to a request from the US Army for an inexpensive attack aircraft to support ground forces.
The military wanted an unpretentious aircraft with high maneuverability at low altitudes and resistance to stalling. Therefore, the specialists at Scaled Composites built the ARES according to the canard design and equipped it with a front horizontal tail.
The main weapon of the aircraft was the six-barreled GAU-12 cannon of 25 mm caliber. The attack aircraft could also carry missiles.
The plane successfully passed tests, but the military was not interested in the machine. After the acquisition of Scaled Composites by Northrop Grumman, the aircraft began to be used as a flying laboratory for testing new technical solutions.
