Bell X-16
X-16 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
X-16 Mock-up | |
Role | High altitudereconnaissance aircraft |
Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft Corporation |
Primary user | United States Air Force(intended) |
Number built | none completed |
TheBell X-16was a high altitudeaerial reconnaissancejet aircraftdesigned in theUnited Statesin the 1950s. The designation of X-16 was a cover to try to hide the true nature of the aircraft mission from theSoviet Unionduring theCold War.[1]
Development
[edit]During the second half of 1953,Fairchild,Bell, andMartin Aircraftconducted high altitude reconnaissance aircraft design studies for theUnited States Air Forceunder project MX-2147.[2]All three designs usedPratt & Whitney J57-19 turbojets. The Bell and Martin (B-57D) designs were chosen for further development. The BellModel 67design was designated theX-16.A full-scale mock-up was completed and one aircraft was partially completed. It was designed as a high altitude long-range reconnaissance aircraft.[3]
The X-16 design was breaking new ground with its design. Its wing was long 114 ft 10 in (35.00 m) with a high (11.9)aspect ratio.The structure was significantly lighter and more flexible than usual for jet aircraft wings. The entire aircraft was made as light as possible to achieve its intended 3,000-mile[clarification needed]unrefueled range at 69,500 ft (21,200 m).[2]
A total of 28 aircraft were ordered, but none were completed. The first X-16 was about 80 percent complete when the program was cancelled by the Air Force in favor of theMartin RB-57in 1956. Although no X-16 was ever completed, it made contributions to aircraft design with its lightweight design. It was also a driving force behind the development of the high-altitude versions of the J57 that would later power theLockheed U-2and other aircraft.[citation needed]
Specifications (X-16, as designed)
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Bell_X-16_artist_depiction.jpg/220px-Bell_X-16_artist_depiction.jpg)
Data from[3]
General characteristics
- Crew:one, pilot
- Length:60 ft 10 in (18.55 m)
- Wingspan:114 ft 10 in (35 m)
- Height:17 ft 1 in (5.2 m)
- Wing area:1,099 sq ft (102.19 m2)
- Empty weight:23,280 lb (10,582 kg)
- Gross weight:36,124 lb (16,420 kg)
- Powerplant:2 ×Pratt & Whitney J57-PW-37Aturbojets,10,000 lbf (44 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed:480 kn (553 mph, 885 km/h)
- Range:2,867 nmi (3,319 mi, 5,310 km)
- Service ceiling:71,832 ft (21,900 m)
- Wing loading:33 lb/sq ft (160 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight:0.55
See also
[edit]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
[edit]- Notes
- Bibliography
- Jenkins, Dennis R., Tony Landis and Jay Miller.American X-Vehicles: An Inventory – X-1 to X-50(Monographs in Aerospace History No. 31: Centennial of Flight Edition). Washington, D.C.: NASA SP-2003-4531, June 2003. Retrieved: 26 July 2009.
- Miller, Jay.Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works: The Official History.Leicester, UK: Aerofax, an imprint of Midland Publishing, 1995 (revised edition).ISBN1-85780-037-0.
- Polmar, Martin.Spyplane: The U-2 History.St. Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Press, 2001.ISBN0-7603-0957-4.