The US Army's unique 34-year-old ARES aircraft is still active in secret testing

The Scaled Composites ARES aircraft has been in service for 34 years since its first flight. ARES retains some features of the original design.

On October 6, 2024, the unique Scaled Composites ARES aircraft took off again at Mojave Airfield. The Direct Air Support Demonstration Concept Aircraft continues to serve as a test bed for the US military. This is discussed in a post on the X social network of aviation expert TaskForce23.

It is noteworthy that it has been in service for 34 years since its first flight on February 19, 1990. ARES retains some of the original design features, including metal leading edges, fairings, and a distinctive fairing area on the right tail.

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Scaled Composites ARES Aircraft

ARES was developed at the request of the US Army in the early 1980s. An inexpensive combat attack aircraft was ordered for the tasks of low-altitude anti-tank support of the battlefield with a long flight duration and the ability to operate outside the improved airfield conditions. US Army pilots Jim Kreutz and Milo Burroughs initiated research in 1981 to develop an aircraft with high maneuverability and stability at low altitudes. Bert Rutan's Scaled Composites joined the effort, resulting in the ARES design, model number 151.

This aircraft — “duck” configuration with the nose designed to collapse in front of the main wings for increased safety during low-altitude operations. Although a turboprop engine was originally planned, the design was updated to use a Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5. The change eliminates potential problems with debris suction.

One of the notable features of ARES — its asymmetrical design. A GAU-12/U Equalizer 25 mm mobile gun is mounted, rotating, on the right side of the nose. The engine air intake is located on the left. Such a layout minimizes the impact of gun recoil on performance.