The X-planes are a series of experimental United States airplanes and helicopters (and some rockets) used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts. Most of the X-planes have been operated by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) or, later, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), often in conjunction with the United States Air Force. The majority of X-Plane testing has occurred at Edwards Air Force Base. Some of the X-planes have been well publicized, while others, such as the X-16, have been developed in secrecy. The first, the Bell X-1, became well known after it became, in 1947, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight. Later X-planes supported important research in a multitude of aerodynamic and technical fields, but only the North American X-15 rocket plane of the early 1960s achieved comparable fame to that of the X-1. X-planes 7 through 12 were actually missiles (used to test new types of engines), and some other vehicles were un-piloted (some were remotely flown, some were full-on drones).
Most X-planes are not expected to go into full-scale production; one exception was the Lockheed Martin X-35, which competed against the Boeing X-32 during the Joint Strike Fighter Program, and has entered production as the F-35.
Not all U.S. experimental aircraft have been designated as X-planes; some received U.S. Navy designations before 1962, while others have been known only by manufacturers' designations, non-'X'-series designations, or classified codenames.
This is the twenty-fourth cache in this series and it is dedicated to the men and women in the armed forces...and especially to those young men and women who have aspirations to join the active services once they enter their adult years.
Added 3/14/2016: BTCO was the owner of this military series of 26 caches either through the initial publication or through adoption. When he moved to Iowa he did not think he would be able to continue to properly maintain the series. As I had served 27 years in the Air Force he thought I would be a logical choice to assume the ownership of the series. I agreed with his assessment and I adopted the series from him.
Added 8/1/2016: There was a flaw in the solution photo in the Geocache Description section. I have updated the photo to take care of the missing number in the North coordinates.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
Adopted by a Nebraskache Member