Boeing X-37 - program supplier guide | Airframer

Boeing X-37

In production

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Low-earth orbit, unmanned, reusable spacecraft used to demonstrate reusable space advancements, requires launch vehicle to exit atmosphere then can re-enter and land as a spaceplane (upon re-entry, vehicle is capable of Mach 25). DARPA involvement reflects potential military applications.

Photo: Boeing

Lift type

Fixed wing

Construction

Factory-built

Control

Autonomous

Engine type

Rocket

Application

Experimental, Passenger small, Utility

Design & construction

Primary structure

Composite

Wing

Composite

Landing gear

Retractable tricycle

Ice protection

None

Pressurisation

Unpressurised

Flight controls

Full FBW digital

Planform

Delta

Tail

V-tail

Certification

Military

Composite wing (primary structure) Primary Composite fuselage (primary structure) Primary

Technical reference compiled with AI research; a value appears only where two independent research passes and a web fact-check agree. Gaps are deliberate.

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Type variants

Variant	Launch / first flight	Production end	Notes
NASA/Boeing X-40A	/ 1998	2001	Space Maneuver Vehicle, 80%-90% subscale variant to assist X-37A testing, towed aloft by UH-60/CH-47D.
NASA/DARPA X-37A	1999 / 2006	2010	Test glider vehicle launched with Scaled Composites' WhiteKnight, glide testing only (spaceflight not achieved), NASA transferred development to DARPA in 2004 then DARPA transferred to U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) (current project overseer). Formerly known as Future-X Pathfinder.
Boeing X-37B	2006 / 2010		Orbital Test Vehicle, launched primarily with Atlas V or Falcon 9 rockets (spaceflight achieved), and once with a Falcon Heavy rocket.
Boeing X-37C	2011 /		Theorised 165-180% scaled-up variant, with capacity for up to six astronauts.

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X-37B variant

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Program milestones 6 dated events

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Information on this page is compiled from a variety of published sources; links do not necessarily imply recommendation or confirmation by the airframe manufacturer.