Data Quality82%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Boeing X-40A
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1998–2001
Quantity
1
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
68
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
10
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- UAV ClassGlider aircraft
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1998
- Primary RoleTest platform for reusable spaceplane systems
- In ServiceNo
◈Airframe4MOD.4
- Length6.706 m
- Wingspan3.658 m
- Empty Weight1,179.36 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant2MOD.2
- Number of Engines0
- Electric PropulsionNo
◇Payload & Sensors5MOD.5
◆Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
▤Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control TypeAutonomous
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableYes
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built1
- Operators2
- Variants0
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2001
- Production Start1998
- Production End2001
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1997Entered service
- 1998Production started
- 2001Production ended
28
years in service
3
years in production
1
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
284RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES68POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2906UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS278PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources