Windecker YE-5
{{Short description|Experimental US stealth aircraft, 1973–1985}}
{{about|the Windecker aircraft|Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-5|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|the binary asteroid|2017 YE5}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = YE-5
| image = Windecker YE-5A.jpg
| caption = The YE-5A prototype
| type = Experimental stealth aircraft
| manufacturer = Windecker Industries
| primary_user = United States Air Force
| more_users =
| unit cost =
| designer =
| first_flight = 1973
| introduction =
| retired = 1985
| status =
| produced =
| number_built = 1
| developed_from = Windecker Eagle
| variants =
| developed_into =
}}
The Windecker YE-5A was an experimental aircraft evaluated by the U.S. Air Force.
It was an all-composite construction aircraft, based on the commercial single-engine, low-wing Windecker Eagle. The YE-5A, delivered in 1973, was used in tests relating to the radar detectability (commonly known as 'stealth') of composite aircraft. A single YE-5A (serial number 73-1653) was built. The YE-5A composite airframe benefited from the U.S. Army project and was shown to be difficult to detect using radar; however other components, including the metal engine, could be seen on radar. The YE-5A was destroyed in a crash during a classified project in 1985, and was replaced by a modified conventional civilian model Windecker Eagle (N4196G), to complete the project. This aircraft is disassembled and in storage in the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel, Alabama.{{cite web |url=http://www.eaglebehindthecurtain.com/WindeckerEagle/tabid/55/Default.aspx |title=Windecker Eagle |accessdate=2015-10-10 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605175518/http://www.eaglebehindthecurtain.com/WindeckerEagle/tabid/55/Default.aspx |archivedate=2008-06-05 }} Eagle Behind the Curtain. Accessed 2011-12-31.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222153328/http://www.aero-web.org/specs/windecke/ye-5a.htm |url=http://www.aero-web.org/specs/windecke/ye-5a.htm |url-status=dead |title=Aviation Enthusiast Corner - Windecker YE-5A |date=July 7, 2008 |archive-date=February 22, 2016 |access-date=February 26, 2025}}
Project CADDO
The U.S. Air Force tests were preceded by tests of a nearly similar prototype, which was delivered to the U.S. Army in 1972. This aircraft was code-named CADDO and tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The U.S. Army acquired another Eagle in 1974, which was used for ballistic tests. The U.S. Army Eagle was also used in tests for the U.S. Air Force. Ultimately this aircraft (N803WR) was destroyed by a tornado in 1980.{{cite web |url=http://www.eaglebehindthecurtain.com/WindeckerEagle/tabid/55/Default.aspx |title=Windecker Eagle |accessdate=2015-10-10 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605175518/http://www.eaglebehindthecurtain.com/WindeckerEagle/tabid/55/Default.aspx |archivedate=2008-06-05 }} Eagle Behind the Curtain. Accessed 2011-12-31.
Specifications (YE-5A)
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
|crew= one pilot
|length ft=28
|length in=8
|length m= 8.7
|span ft= 32
|span m= 9.8
|height ft= 9
|height in= 6
|height m= 2.9
|empty weight lb= 2,150
|empty weight kg= 975
|gross weight lb= 3,400
|gross weight kg= 1,500
|eng1 name= Lycoming I0-540-G
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 hp= 290
|eng1 kw= 216
|max speed mph= 210
|max speed kmh= 338
|max speed note= at sea level
|cruise speed mph= 204
|cruise speed kmh= 328
|cruise speed note= 75% power
|stall speed mph= 66
|stall speed kmh= 106
|stall speed note= flaps down
|range miles= 1,100
|range km= 1,770
|ceiling ft= 8,000
|ceiling m= 5,500
|climb rate ftmin= 1,220
|climb rate ms= 6
|wing loading lb/sqft= 19.3
|wing loading kg/m2=
|power/mass=0.09 hp/lb (0.14 kW/kg)
}}