X-29

The Grumman X-29 is a 1984 concept aircraft by Northrop Grumman.
It explored a number of new technologies, the most immediately obvious being the forward-swept wings and canard control surface.
The inherent aerodynamic instability of this arrangement required the use of computerized fly-by-wire control, and advanced composite materials were needed to make the wing sufficiently rigid without being unacceptably heavy.
The X-29A demonstrated excellent control and maneuvering qualities at an angle of attack up to 45 degrees.
There was also a decrease in turbulence.
However, the wing configuration made the craft inherently unstable and it could fly only with the constant corrections (up to 40 per second) provided by the computerized flight control system.

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