Lifting body

The Lifting body is an aircraft configuration where the body itself produce lift.

The example pictured is the Martin Aircraft Company X-24 built as part of an experimental US military program running from 1963 to 1975.

The X-24 was based on the M-2 concept originated by Dr. A. Eggers of NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Mt. View, California. The M-2 competed in the design of the Space Shuttle.