In addition to brainstorming and testing new airframe ideas for future fighter jets, the X-36 tested the Air Force’s Reconfigurable Control for Tailless Fighter Aircraft software. That software allowed the plane to remain in flight even after losing control surfaces by using neural net processing to make other controls pick up the slack if a rudder, flap, or any other control surface on the jet went down. This software was tested with great success on two different flights in 1998.
The X-36 only flew from May to November of 1997 for a total of unmanned remote control 31 flights. The relatively short history of the plane was promising. It handled significantly better than expected despite not having a tail. Most fighter planes struggle with maneuverability at either end of the speed spectrum. If you’re going too slow, you won’t have enough speed to stay aloft, if you’re going too fast, you sacrifice agility for straight-line speed. The X-36, on the other hand, excelled in performing at high speeds and low speeds during all tests, proving itself to be remarkably maneuverable and agile.
Alas, the X-36 program has not been revived since its last flight nearly 25 years ago and all modern fighter jets designs include a tail.
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