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CTO at ARVAS. Tactical robotic applications specialist.

The Horten 229 (Ho 229), designed by the Horten brothers in 1944, stands as a revolutionary aircraft in aviation history, pushing the boundaries of both aerodynamics and stealth technology. As the first jet-powered flying wing, it incorporated advanced engineering techniques that were decades ahead of its time. Key Specifications: Powerplant: 2x Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet engines (producing 1,980 lbf of thrust each) Max Speed: Approximately 977 km/h (607 mph) Range: Around 1,000 km (620 miles) Ceiling: 16,000 meters (52,500 ft) Wingspan: 16.8 meters (55 ft) Length: 7.47 meters (24.5 ft) Empty Weight: 4,600 kg (10,140 lbs) Armament: Designed to carry 2x 30mm MK 108 cannons and up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) of bombs The Ho 229’s flying wing design aimed to minimize aerodynamic drag and radar signature—an early form of stealth. Constructed using wood and carbon-based materials, it was one of the first to integrate composite materials in its airframe, a key innovation for weight reduction and structural integrity. The absence of vertical control surfaces, such as tails and rudders, was a design that directly influenced modern stealth aircraft, including the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bomber. Though it never saw full production, the Horten 229’s legacy lives on in modern aerospace engineering, illustrating the power of visionary design. #AerospaceEngineering #AviationHistory #FlyingWing #JetTechnology #StealthInnovation #AircraftDesign

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