Concept Aircraft: What-If Designs & Prototypes
Some of the most fascinating military aircraft never made it to full production—or existed only as bold prototypes and paper studies that could have changed everything. These videos look at the “what ifs” of aviation: thrust-vectoring testbeds pushing agility limits, satellite-hunting fighters, cranked-wing experiments for supremacy, cancelled stealth rivals, supercharged Phantom upgrades, and even orbital strike platforms. From WWII high-altitude interceptors and Nazi jet bomber ambitions to Cold War swing-wings and British supersonics like the TSR2—these stories explore paths not taken, near-misses, and innovative concepts that influenced real-world designs. More alternate fighters, hypothetical bombers, and radical proposals coming soon. Scroll down to watch the roads less flown.
Grumman X-29
The Grumman X-29 was a groundbreaking 1980s experimental aircraft developed by DARPA, NASA, and the US Air Force to demonstrate forward-swept wings on a modified F-5 airframe. Featuring advanced composite materials to counter aeroelastic divergence and fly-by-wire...
VENOM-AFT – No More Pilots
VENOM-AFT, the autonomous flight technology demonstrated on the X-62A VISTA (a modified F-16 testbed), marks a historic shift toward pilotless combat aircraft. In 2023, AI algorithms enabled the X-62A to engage in aggressive dogfights against human-piloted F-16s,...
The forgotten F-22 Raptor Stealth Bomber
The forgotten F-22 Raptor stealth bomber, known as the proposed Lockheed Martin FB-22, was a delta-wing strike variant of the F-22 designed in the early 2000s for enhanced bombing capabilities. Featuring greater payload (up to 30,000 pounds), extended range over 2,600...
Developing the VZ-9 Avrocar
Developing the VZ-9 Avrocar, a Canadian VTOL flying saucer from the 1950s, began as a supersonic fighter-bomber but scaled back to tactical roles using Coanda effect lift via three turbojets powering a central fan in an 18-foot disk. US-funded prototypes tested...
Focke-Wulf Ta 152 – High Altitude Interceptor
The Focke-Wulf Ta-152 high-altitude interceptor, designed by Kurt Tank in late WWII as an evolution of the Fw 190D, featured a Jumo 213E engine, extended wings, pressurized cockpit, and GM-1 boost for 49,500-foot ceilings. Achieving 472 mph top speed and armed with MG...
The A-16 | Can a Viper turn into a Warthog?
The A-16 proposal aimed to transform the F-16 Viper into a close air support Warthog rival with 30mm GAU-13 cannon pods, miniguns, reinforced structure, and enhanced Mavericks/FLIR for ground attacks. Tests revealed severe vibrations, leading to cannon removal and...
F-4X Super Phantom
The F-4X Super Phantom, a proposed 1970s Mach 3 reconnaissance variant of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 developed by General Dynamics and Israel, featured water-injected J79 engines, enlarged inlets, and Mach 2.4 cruise for MiG-25 interception. Canceled amid USAF security...
TSR2: the British F-111
The TSR2, Britain's ambitious supersonic medium bomber dubbed the "British F-111," emerged in the 1950s to replace aging aircraft like the Canberra amid rapid jet advancements and Soviet threats. Designed by BAC for Mach 2 speeds, all-weather strikes, reconnaissance,...
Nazi Jet Bombers of WW2
Nazi jet bombers of WW2 advanced desperate late-war designs like Arado Ar 234's combat reconnaissance and strikes (including Ludendorff Bridge attacks), Junkers Ju 287's forward-swept prototypes reaching 660 km/h, and Horten Ho 229/H.XVIII flying wings for...
Was the YF-23 superior to the F-22?
Was the YF-23 superior to the F-22? Northrop's stealthy ATF prototype boasted better radar cross-section, higher supercruise speed, longer range, and innovative diamond wings with SER nozzles reducing IR signature. Outperforming in stealth and efficiency per test...
F-16XL
The General Dynamics F-16XL, an experimental 1980s upgrade to the F-16 Fighting Falcon from the SCAMP program, featured a cranked-arrow delta wing for 25% more lift, 65% extra fuel, twice the payload, and 27 hardpoints. Competing to replace the F-111, it outperformed...
F-15 ACTIVE
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 ACTIVE, a 1980s-1990s NASA technology demonstrator modified from an F-15B Eagle, pioneered supermanoeuvrability with forward canards, 3D thrust vectoring nozzles (up to 20 degrees deflection via F100-PW-229 engines), and STOL capabilities...
F-15 ASAT Program
The F-15 ASAT program, developed in the 1980s amid Cold War fears of Soviet killer satellites, equipped F-15A fighters with hypersonic ASM-135 missiles featuring SRAM/Altair stages and infrared-guided Miniature Homing Vehicles. Tests peaked in 1985 with Major Doug...
F-18 HARV
The F/A-18 HARV, NASA's High Alpha Research Vehicle modified from a pre-production Hornet in 1987 at Dryden, advanced high-angle-of-attack studies for fighter agility with thrust vectoring paddles, forebody strakes, and sensors. Completing 385 flights across three...
Orbital Bombers
This article by Michael Nelmes is from the Spring 2023 issue of Wings Magazine - Subscribe to Wings https://wingsmagazine.org/