National Geographic Channel : Battle of X-Planes

cavsg

2 Dec 03, 22:02

Two aviation giants, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, compete to build the next generation fighter jet and win the largest government contract ever awarded, estimated at one trillion dollars. For over five years, with unprecedented access from the Pentagon, NOVA followed the trials and tribulations of this neck-and-neck design war. The program gives a unique inside perspective on every phase of competition, from design and assembly through to the thrilling test flights that eventually leads to one triumphant victory.

Part 1
2 December 2003, 9:00 pm
3 December 2003, 3:00 am

Part 2
9 December 2003, 9:00 pm
10 December 2003, 3:00 am

cavsg

13 Jan 04, 22:25

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/xplanes/

Buy the DVD

http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/shop/products/wg36743.html

Reviews
"Battle of the X-Planes expertly portrays the highs and lows of this winner-take-all competition. . . . [P]lenty to make the aviation enthusiast drool, including dramatic first flights and white-knuckle hovering efforts." -- Popular Science

"NOVA received insider accress to all the right people with all the right stuff . . . Every taxpayer in America can benefit from spending two hours watching Battle of the X-Planes. " -- The New York Times

". . . NOVA turns a duel between corporate engineers into unflaggingly compelling TV, full of fascinating detail . . ." -- Chicago Tribune

". . . exciting!" -- Dallas Morning News

". . . a fascinating two hours." -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Battle of the X-Planes is by any measure a unique piece of filmmaking . . --St. Paul Pioneer Press

". . . the contest to build the experimental aircraft known as the Joint Strike Fighter, a story wonderfully chronicled in this nail-biting, suspense-filled episode of NOVA. . . . Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. -- Video Librarian

IAF

14 Jan 04, 08:20

Hope the makers of the x-35 will fix the problem when it couldn't do a vertical take-off and then fly away