Williams X-Jet

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The Williams X-Jet was a small, single-person VTOL aircraft built by Williams International in the 1980s. It used a modified Williams F107 turbofan engine, called WR-19-7, and was nicknamed “The Flying Pulpit” because of its shape.

The pilot controlled it by leaning toward the desired direction and adjusting engine power. It could move in any direction, hover, rotate on its axis, and stay aloft for up to 45 minutes, with a top speed of about 60 mph (97 km/h).

The U.S. Army evaluated the X-Jet in the 1980s but found it inferior to helicopters and small unmanned aircraft, so development was stopped.

Williams International also worked on other VTOL concepts, including a jet-powered flying belt in 1969 and the WASP (Williams Aerial Systems Platform) series. WASP I appeared in the 1970s and used a WR19-9 BRP5 engine with about 670 pounds of thrust. WASP II used a slightly modified and derated WR-19-A7D engine, producing around 600 pounds of thrust and later designated WR19-7, rated at about 570 pounds of thrust after derating. Modifications to WASP II included replacing the pyro starter with electric/air start and some exhaust changes, while the counter-rotating micro turbofans were not internally modified. The first crewed, untethered WASP II flight occurred in April 1980, and Ray Le Grande was one of its pilots.

There was a U.S. patent for the X-Jet.