This supersonic aircraft was designed to investigate the structural effects of supersonic aerodynamic heating as well as stability and control effectiveness at high speeds and altitudes. It was a rocket-powered, swept-wingresearch aircraft. First flight: 18/11/1955 (first powered flight) Retired: 27/11/1956 Primary users: United States Air Force National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Number built: 2 Crew: one pilot Length: 11.5 meters (37 feet 10 inches) Wingspan: 9.8 meters (32 feet 3 inches) Height: 3.6 meters (11 feet 10 inches) Wing area: 24.2 m (260 feet ) Airfoil: 2S-50 bicon Empty weight: 5,600 kg (12,375 lb) Loaded weight: 11,300 kg (24,910 lb) Ma takeoff weight: 11,300 kg (24,910 lb) Powerplant: 1 Curtiss-Wright XLR25 rocket engine, 67 kN (15,000 lbf) at sea level maximum speed: Mach 3.196 (3,370 km/h, 2,094 mph) - supersonic Service ceiling: 38,466 meters (126,200 feet)
This supersonic aircraft was designed to investigate the structural effects of supersonic aerodynamic heating as well as stability and control effectiveness at high speeds and altitudes. It was a rocket-powered, swept-wingresearch aircraft. First flight: 18/11/1955 (first powered flight) Retired: 27/11/1956 Primary users: United States Air Force National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Number built: 2 Crew: one pilot Length: 11.5 meters (37 feet 10 inches) Wingspan: 9.8 meters (32 feet 3 inches) Height: 3.6 meters (11 feet 10 inches) Wing area: 24.2 m (260 feet ) Airfoil: 2S-50 bicon Empty weight: 5,600 kg (12,375 lb) Loaded weight: 11,300 kg (24,910 lb) Ma takeoff weight: 11,300 kg (24,910 lb) Powerplant: 1 Curtiss-Wright XLR25 rocket engine, 67 kN (15,000 lbf) at sea level maximum speed: Mach 3.196 (3,370 km/h, 2,094 mph) - supersonic Service ceiling: 38,466 meters (126,200 feet)