Experimental Survivable Testbed (XST)
Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)

Date: 1977

Personal Interest: The XST was revealed in 1988 following the public announcement of the F-117A Nighthawk. The XST was a technology demonstator that proved the viability of the low Radar Cross Section (RCS) faceted design that would later be used on the F-117. I remember being fascinated that an older cousin of the cutting edge "stealth fighter" had been flying in secret for more than a decade.

Model Specifications: This model represents the first of two XST aircraft (HB1001) painted in a black, gray and sand camouflage pattern designed to hide the then-secret faceted surface of the aircraft.