An earlier version with three engines and winglet-style vertical tails has given way to a twin-engined version with a more conventional tail configuration. The tails are reminiscent of planes like the A-10, whose design was intended to shield the engine exhaust and reduce the plane's infra-red signature. As it turns out, the same configuration can deflect exhaust noise upward to reduce the audible signature. Since the gear still seem to be fixed, it would seem that the work being done is still on low-speed handling qualities, even though the ultimate reason for the configuration is to show a lower cruise drag. Let's get on with this... Releasable trolley for takeoff and skids for landing?
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/Features/x-48_100th_testFlight.html
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