XP X-15A-2 SE v2.0

As Close as You Can Get to Flying the World's Fastest Aircraft

The Xtreme Prototypes X-15A-2 Special Edition v2.0 addon contains eight variations of the X-15A-2 with external propellant tanks and the mighty XLR-99 rocket engine and three fictitious variations of a delta wing X-15AD-4 with rocket engine nozzles and solid rocket boosters, based on proposed configurations for future X-15 aircraft. The three highly detailed exterior models feature more than 1900 parts and 100 animations. The three fully functional 3D virtual cockpits contain over 1500 parts and 300 animated custom gauges and systems. A custom X-15 flight model was designed to reproduce the characteristics of rocket-powered high speed and high altitude flights in the simulator.

This addon will allow you to fly at altitudes of over 300,000 feet at more than four times the speed of sound (or the maximum speed that can be attained in the simulator) and to simulate almost every step and procedure required in a real, typical X-15 research mission. If you are an X-15 fan and already have some knowledge about the aircraft and a desire to learn more, this addon is for you. This is your chance to go beyond books and films and jump into the cockpit of this extraordinary vehicle in a true simulation environment.

A Next Generation Addon for Prepar3D® and FSX

The Xtreme Prototypes X-15A-2 Special Edition v2.0 is a next generation addon designed to take advantage of the new and more powerful gaming computers that are available today. It features high-resolution models and textures, highly detailed VR-ready virtual cockpits with full 3D gauges, custom aircraft systems and functionalities, over 60 sound effects, new animations, amazing visual effects, and a comprehensive 280-page flight manual. The documentation also includes an online help system optimized for tablets and PCs with 225 topics and 400 keywords. The manual and the online help system include new sections with complete system descriptions that were not included in the previous version.

This X-15A-2 Special Edition v2.0 is the result of many years of research and took over two years to develop. Our goal was to create an addon with the necessary features to make it as accurate as possible technically and historically, offering a higher level of realism, within the limitations and capabilities of the available simulation platforms. We believe we achieved this goal by offering our X-15 fans a new and completely redesigned product that, in addition of being visually impressive, includes virtually all the systems and functionalities found in the real aircraft.

About the Real X-15 Rocket Plane

The legendary North American X-15 was a research airplane designed to obtain data on flight at extremely high altitudes and speeds and to demonstrate the ability of pilots to fly rocket-powered airplanes out of the earth's atmosphere and back to precision landing.

The X-15A-2 (AF56-6671) was a modified and more advanced version of the X-15-2 rocket plane, specifically designed to allow longer engine burn times and to attain hypersonic velocities in the range of 8000 feet per second at an altitude of 100,000 feet. The main modification was the addition of two large external propellant tanks which can be jettisoned and reused. The added propellant permits a longer engine run which results in added velocity.

In October 1967, Air Force Pilot Pete Knight took the X-15A-2 to Mach 6.7 (4520 mph), the fastest manned aircraft flight recorded to date (if we exclude Space Shuttle flights). The X-15A-2 completed 22 flights between June 1964 and October 1967.

Download the Manual

Access the online help system
(optimized for tablets and PCs)

Download the full 280-page utility flight manual
(22 MB, PDF format)

Manuals are updated frequently, make sure you have the latest version.

What you Need to Know

• You must accept the end-user license agreement before you can download, install and use this software.
• Please read Minimum System Requirements, below.

IMPORTANT: Xtreme Prototypes next generation addons are designed to take advantage of the new and more powerful gaming computers that are available today. They require better graphics cards and more processing power and RAM than other more conventional addons. Increased performance will be noticed on more powerful systems. Before purchasing this product, make sure you have the minimum system requirements or better. For obvious reasons, downloads are not refundable.

• Flight Simulation Platform: Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D® v4.x, v3.x (read note below), v2.x or v1.x, Microsoft® Flight Simulator X: Steam® Edition or Flight Simulator X SP2 with Acceleration Expansion Pack (or FSX Gold fully installed). This product is not compatible with earlier versions of Microsoft® Flight Simulator. Prepar3D® v5 users, see note below.
• Operating System: Windows® 10/8.1/8/7 (64-bit version required for Prepar3D®)*
• Computer Memory 16 GB or better recommended*
• Processor: Dual Core 3.0 GHz (Quad Core 3.0 GHz or better recommended)
• Hard Drive Space: Downloaded ZIP file size approx. 1.4 GB, each addon version size approx. 2 GB when installed*
• Graphics Card: A high-end graphics card with at least 8 GB GDDR5 or better is highly recommended*. Installing this addon in Prepar3D® requires a DirectX® 11-compatible graphics card*. Make sure you have the latest driver for your operating system.
• Graphics: DirectX® 12, 11, 10 or 9 (depending on your simulator's requirements)*
• Other: Wheel mouse, joystick (pedals optional), sound card and speakers, Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. A wheel mouse is required to actuate 3-position switches and some knobs.
• Internet Connection: An Internet connection with browser is required to access the online help system (optimized for tablets and PCs). You can use your iPad®, Windows® or Android® tablet (optional) as an aviator kneeboard while flying the X-15A-2 SE.

*: Refer to your simulator's documentation for more information.

Note for Prepar3D® v5.x users: Please note that this addon is not fully compatible with Prepar3D® v5. We are currently working on a software update.

Note for Prepar3D® v4.x users: The X-15A-2 Special Edition v2.0 addon includes a native version (labeled v2.01) for the 64-bit Prepar3D® v4.x simulation platform. This updated version contains 64-bit DLLs and new features, including new special effects, a revised ignition system, an improved flight model and a revised 280-page utility flight manual. Please note that this version will not work in previous versions of Prepar3D® (nor in FSX). The update is free for registered users.

Note for Prepar3D® v3.x users: There is no special installer for Prepar3D® v3 available for this addon. To install this addon in Prepar3D® v3, please use the installer for Prepar3D® v2 and change the path to your simulation platform during installation. The addon version for Prepar3D® v2 is compatible with Prepar3D® v3.

Note for FSX Steam® users: The X-15A-2 SE addon is fully compatible with Flight Simulator X: Steam® Edition.

General Features

Four variations of the X-15A-2 aircraft (s/n AF56-6671) with the XLR-99 rocket engine, a long ventral and external propellant tanks:

• Clean black "rollout" version (circa 1964) with silver drop tanks
• Standard black version (circa 1965) with red and white drop tanks
• Standard black version (circa 1966) with pink ablative patches and black and white drop tanks
• Standard black version (circa 1966) with pink ablative patches and red, black and white drop tanks

Four variations of the X-15A-2 aircraft (s/n AF56-6671) with the XLR-99 rocket engine, external propellant tanks, a short ventral, a dummy ramjet and an animated eyelid on the left canopy window:

• "Refurbished" (museum) black version (circa 1969) with red and white drop tanks
• Pink version with full ablative coating (circa 1967) with silver drop tanks
• Clean white version with full ablative coating and white sealer (circa 1967), with red, black and white drop tanks
• Standard white version with full ablative coating and white sealer (circa 1967), with red, black and white drop tanks

Three variations of a fictitious delta wing X-15AD-4 aircraft (s/n AF68-18601 and N203NSX) with the XLR-99 rocket engine, rocket engine nozzle extensions, solid rocket boosters, auxiliary vertical stabilizers and a dummy ramjet, based on different proposed configurations:

• Clean black "rollout" version (circa 1969)
• Standard black version (circa 1969)
• White NASA version (circa 1970)

Flight Model Features

Custom X-15 flight model to reproduce the characteristics of rocket-powered high speed and high altitude flights on your simulation platform:

• One Reaction Motors XLR-99, "throttable" 60,000-pound liquid-fuel turborocket engine
• Two Thiokol Castor 1, 45,000-pound solid rocket boosters (on delta wing model only)
• Supersonic flight up to the maximum speed attainable in the simulator (approx. Mach 4.65)
• High altitude flight up to 354,200 feet (or the maximum altitude attainable in the simulator)
• Fictitious ground takeoff or high altitude launch like the real aircraft
• Good maneuverability at supersonic speeds
• Excellent gliding capabilities

X-15A-2 Rocket Aircraft Systems

The following systems are simulated to conform as closely as possible to the operation of the real X-15A-2 aircraft, within the present limitations and capabilities of the available simulation platforms:

• Custom X-15 fuel management system for the three different types of propellants and gases, like in the real X-15A-2 rocket plane (overrides the simulator's conventional fuel management system)
• Engine compartment fire detection system
• Engine turbopump system
• Turbopump hydrogen peroxide system
• XLR-99 power plant propellant and control systems
• Engine controls and indicators
• Propellant supply system
• Liquid oxygen tank
• Ammonia tank
• Engine and propellant control helium system
• Propellant pressurization helium system
• Drop tank system
• Propellant transfer system (from external drop tanks)
• Solid rocket booster ignition system (delta wing model only)
• Auxiliary power units (APUs)
• Electrical power supply systems (generators, AC/DC power distribution, emergency battery and an external power source)
• Temperature control systems
• Hydraulic power supply systems
• Flight control systems and indicators (vertical and horizontal stabilizers, flaps, speed brakes)
• Landing gear system
• Instruments (pitot static, stable platform, ball nose)
• SAS (basic autopilot functions)
• BCS, RAS (animated switches and lights, BCS not supported in the simulator at this time)
• Instrumentation system controls and indicators (skylight hatch)
• Indicator, caution and warning light system
• Canopy
• Ejection seat (limited functionalities, animation only)
• Air conditioning and pressurization system
• Nitrogen system
• Windshield heating (antifogging) system
• Radio communication, VOR and ADF system
• Cockpit lighting system
• Pilot's oxygen system

Aircraft Exterior 3D Model Features

• Three high resolution 3D exterior models, optimized for the latest versions of Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D® and Microsoft® Flight Simulator X
• Detailed models based on archive material, with more than 1900 parts and 100 animations
• High resolution textures
• Unique markings and liveries (on each aircraft)
• Dynamic frost textures (around the cold propellant tanks when filled)
• Movable aerodynamic control surfaces:
  • Differential horizontal stabilizer
  • Vertical stabilizers with movable and fixed sections and a jettisonable ventral rudder
  • Flaps
  • Fully animated upper and lower split-flap speed brakes with flexible hoses
• Detailed and fully animated landing skids and front gear ("steerable" in the simulator), with scoop door and a flexible electrical cable
• Animated ram-air door
• Detailed canopy cover with floodlights, electrical and antifogging systems, animated valves, electrical wires and nitrogen pipes, animated head restraint and movie camera
• Elliptical canopy windows on all models (default)
• Optional trapezoidal windows (user-selectable)
• Detailed cockpit with ejection seat, animated sticks and levers, and miscellaneous systems
• Animated X-15 astronaut/pilot in full pressure suit
• Animated skylight hatch with star tracker system
• Detailed XLR-99 power plant with exhaust pipe and jettison and drain pipes
• Jettisonable external propellant tanks (optional, user-selectable)
• Fictitious delta wing model with auxiliary vertical stabilizers, based on proposed configurations for future X-15 aircraft
• Jettisonable Castor solid-fuel rocket boosters (on delta wing model)
• Rocket engine nozzles (on delta wing model)
• Jettisonable dummy ramjet (on the white aircraft)
• Animated eyelid on the left canopy window of selected aircraft
• Dynamic fogging and ablator splatters on selected windows
• Animated ball nose
• Retractable pitot tube

Aircraft Interior 3D Model Features

• Three fully functional high resolution, VR-ready* virtual cockpits with over 1500 parts and 300 full-3D animated gauges, switches, levers, light indicators, flight instruments and systems with tooltips
• Advanced instrument panels:
  • Main panel with two wing panels (engine and flight instruments and control, electrical and hydraulic instruments and controls, light indicators, cockpit instruments, engine timer, landing gear handle, emergency canopy handle, SAS panel, retractable pitot handle)
  • Left console (VPJ control box and lever, flap switch, RAS lights, BCS control stick, engine throttle, speed brake handle, drop tank controls, radio panel, pressure suit controls, left side control box)
  • Right console (breaker panel, cooling lever and switches, right control stick, canopy handle)
  • Center pedestal (instrumentation control panel, ram-air levers, DC voltmeter)
• Three fully animated control sticks (user-selectable)
• Animated pedals
• Elliptical canopy windows on all models (default)
• Animated eyelid on the left canopy window of the white aircraft (with internal lever)
• Dynamic ablator splatters on selected windows
• Optional trapezoidal windows (user-selectable) for a better outside view from the cockpit
• Invisible canopy mode to fly the X-15 without the clamshell-type canopy on, offering a spectacular view from the cockpit (user-selectable)
• Detailed canopy cover with floodlights, electrical and antifogging systems, animated valves, electrical wires and nitrogen pipes, animated head restraint and movie camera
• Functional windshield heating (antifogging) system, complete with animated valve handles and dynamic frost/fog textures on the windshield
• Cockpit floodlights (VC and exterior model, switchable)
• Detailed ejection seat with animated handles, buttons, armrests, foot restraints, deflectors and oxygen gauge and selector switch
• Modified X-15 radio for use in the simulator (VHF COM1, COM2, ADF, VOR)
• Fully functional breaker panel
• Optional radio-magnetic indicator (user-selectable)
• Access to the default (simulator) Garmin GPS unit

*: The full 3D virtual cockpit makes this addon an ideal candidate for new virtual reality applications such as FlyInside®.

Note: Xtreme Prototypes next generation addons no longer include 2D panels found in legacy products. They are replaced by full 3D virtual cockpits. No flat 2D gauges are used in this addon.

Visual Effects

Over 25 X-15-specific low and high altitude visual effects, including:

• Rocket engine combustion flames and shockwave effects
• Engine first and/or second stage igniter effects
• Rocket engine smoke and contrail effects
• Propellant jettison effects (fuel, LOX and H2O2)
• Engine turbopump exhaust effect
• APU exhaust effects
• Engine precool and prime effects
• LOX bleed effect
• Condensation and vapor effect around the cold LOX tank when filled
• Cockpit lights
• Wing vortices and vapor trails

Sound Effects

• New X-15 sound sets, including new solid rocket booster sound effect
• Over 50 additional sound effects, including external and cockpit sounds (switches, knobs and levers, breakers, pneumatic valves, propellant tank pressurization, APUs, turbopump, gyro, blower fans, fuel jettison, engine precool and prime, tank and ventral jettison, etc.)

Miscellaneous

• Automatic rocket engine ignition sequence start button for beginner pilots
• System monitor panels
• FBGS sound system for playing cockpit sounds (used under license)
• Multiple camera views
• Saved flights based on X-15A-2 historical missions to simulate a high altitude launch* or a fictitious takeoff from the ground**
• A 280-page printable PDF manual, with complete system descriptions and procedures, based on the original X-15A-2 utility flight manual
• A new 225-topic (over 300 pages and 400 keywords) online help system optimized for tablets and PCs

*: Please note that there is no B-52 carrier aircraft included with this addon due to limitations in the simulation platforms. The saved flights will simply drop you from an historical launch location at high altitude.

**: This is a simulation and many things that are not permitted in the real world can be done in a simulator. So we thought that our users would like to take off from the ground in their X-15 addon even though this was not possibile in the real world, with the real aircraft. This gives the beginner desktop pilot plenty of time to learn and perform the required preflight procedures while the aircraft is sitting comfortably on the ground instead of falling like a brick in mid-air. For purists, it is possible to simulate a high altitude launch by using the slew mode commands to reposition the X-15 airplane without flying in real time. A second option is to change the altitude and speed settings in the map. You can also load one of the high altitude "launch" saved flights that come with the addon. Taking off from the ground is rather fun however, and it's something the real X-15 pilots could not do!

Peter Stark, PC Pilot Magazine (UK, January/February 2016):
"Educational, exhilarating and totally absorbing! The X-15A-2 provides sim pilots with a unique experience in flight simulation… The Special Edition is a totally reworked product that strives to take advantage of more modern computing power and includes a raft of additional effects, features and variants over the earlier versions. The feature list is absolutely huge. Even at first glance, you can see the extraordinary attention to detail. The 3D cockpit is beautifully modelled with all the switches fully functional and most connected to the simulated aircraft systems. The detail in every component is outstanding and coupled with the dozens of visual effects really creates a realistic and absorbing product."

Ray Marshall, Avsim.com:
"A+, Highly Recommended! This one is so unique, so polished and so well modeled and error free, and so complete with all the optional models and the extensive sounds, animations and visuals, not to mention that one purchase includes installers for FSX, FSX-SE, and P3Dv2 that I whole hardly recommend it for those aspiring desktop test pilots. What we now have available for our flight simming pleasure is the most up-to-date simulation, using the most up-to-date techniques with high definition textures, custom sounds and animations and even flying models that were proposed but never actually built."

"This one come with the most comprehensive and best documented and easy to use flight manual that I have seen to date. The more time I spend reading and referring to the manual the more I appreciate how well done and how complete it is. Just the time saved by using the jumps or links and being able to return back to where you jumped from is outstanding in itself. Using the online links is far superior and much easier than using iBooks or any of the PDF readers."

Emmanuel Blanchard, Micro Simulateur Magazine (France, June 2015):
"...we get caught in the excitement of pushing boundaries further, going higher and coming back in one piece... To recreate the spirit of the air and space conquest is the greatest achievement by the developers of this exceptional machine."

Michelle Evans, Author, "The X-15 Rocket Plane" (California, U.S.A.):
"Congratulations on the release of your new X-15A-2 addon! You truly did do a fantastic job. I hope you are having great success with your new product, and get a whole new generation of people interested in the X-15. Thanks again for putting out this amazing flight sim."

Michael Gabriel, X-15 fan (California, U.S.A.):
"Thanks for modeling my absolute favorite aircraft, with perfection! Talk about down-to-the-rivets, I have never seen such sharp, pristine textures. The walk around on the new X-15A-3 literally drew tears to my eyes. Thanks again and again for the incredible aircraft!"

Jean-Marc Daigre, X-15 fan (France):
"Very nice accomplishment, with superb 3D (models). A lot of rigor in this work, it shows and I like that."

Listed below are the latest available patches for your Xtreme Prototypes X-15A-2 Special Edition v2.0 addon - for registered users only. To download these files, please login to your Xtreme Prototypes online account.

(2018-02-08) Software Update for Prepar3D® v4.x. The X-15A-2 Special Edition v2.0 addon now includes a native version (labeled v2.01) for the 64-bit Prepar3D® v4 simulation platform. This updated version contains 64-bit DLLs and new features including new special effects, a revised ignition system, an improved flight model and a revised 280-page utility flight manual. Use this installer to install your addon in Prepar3D® v4.x. Free for registered users (all versions).

(2015-01-15) New Installer for Flight Simulator X: Steam® Edition. The X-15A-2 Special Edition is now fully compatible with Microsoft® Flight Simulator X: Steam® Edition. Use this new installer to install your addon in FSX: Steam® Edition. Free for registered users (all versions).

(2015-01-09) Special Effects Package. Special effects appearance may vary from system to system, depending on many factors including your simulation platform, your version of DirectX®, your view aspect ratio and your graphics hardware and settings. If you are not satisfied with the effects on your system (for example, they are too small or too big), try replacing the special effect files. This package contains different sets of effects for your X-15A-2 SE addon. Free for registered users (all versions).