BATTLE OF THE X-PLANES

Details

• Release Year: 2003
• Genre: Documentary
• Plot: '[E]xpertly portrays the highs and lows of this winner-take-all competition...plenty to make the aviation enthusiast drool...dramatic first flights and white-knuckle hovering efforts...' - Popular Science; ; NOVA examines the high-stakes battle waged between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to build the most capable and versatile fighter ever created----the Joint Strike Fighter. You're on the front line as NOVA records classified meetings and climbs into cockpits to fly these revolutionary planes. Watch as the two aerospace giants fight for a contract that will make aviation history and help protect America----and that could provide the winner total domination of the U.S. defense fighter industry.; ; Marking the first time filmmakers have been allowed inside a major weapons competition, NOVA enters Boeing's Phantom Works and Lockheed's legendary Skunk Works, and travels to the flight test centers at Edwards Air Force Base and Patuxnet Naval Air Station to document key moments of the competition. Join military brass, aviation engineers, and test pilots as they race to create a single aircraft that meets three criteria----that the winning plane be stealthy, affordable, and adaptable to the widely varying needs of the Air Force, Navy, and Marines.; ; Filmed over four years, Battle of the X-Planes reveals the breakthrough designs, heartbreaking setbacks, adrenaline-fueled test flighs, and one final nail-biting decision----the winnter of the most lucrative contract in military history----the Joint Strike Fighter.; ; NOVA: Mind-Altering Television; Experience the drama of discovering the wonders of our world----from the miracle of life, to the top of the world and the depths of space, from the power of wild weather, to the marvels of technology, and more. See for yourself why for 30 years, NOVA has been the most watched, most acclaimed science show on television.
• Cast: Edward C. Aldridge Jr., Rick Baker, Andy Balough, Ed Beurer, George Bible, John Brotemarkle, Dick Burton, Walt Cannon, Gerry Clausier, Phil Condit, Eric Didominico, Barb Gleich, Howard Gofus, Simon Hargreaves, Michael Hough, Paul Kaminski, Fred Knox, Mark Magnussen, Jay Miller, Tom Morgenfeld, George Muellner, Dennis Muilenburg, Dan Nielson, Dennis O'Donoghue, Nancylew O'Donoghue, Curtis Peebles, Ralph Pelikan, Dorian Racey, Rick Rezabek, James G. Roche, Liev Schreiber, Paul Smith, Frank Statkus, Craig Steidle, Bill Sweetman, Graham Warwick, Sam Wilson, Scott Winship, Phil Yates, Michael Jorgensen, Daniel McCabe
• Director: Michael Jorgensen
• Runtime: 2:00
• Company: WGBH Boston
• Media Format: Series