American postwar aircraft
Convair F-102A Delta Dagger
The primary mission of the F-102 was to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. It was the
world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the USAF's first operational
delta-wing aircraft. The F-102 made its initial flight on Oct. 24, 1953 and became
operational with the Air Defense Command in 1956. At the peak of deployment in the late
1950's, F-102s equipped more than 25 ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,000 F-102s, 875 of
which were F-102As. The USAF also bought 111 TF-102s as combat trainers with side-by-side
seating.
In a wartime situation, after electronic equipment on board the F-102 had located the
enemy aircraft, the F-102's radar would guide it into position for attack. At the proper
moment, the electronic fire control system would automatically fire the F-102's air-to-air
rockets and missiles.
| General characteristics |
| Primary function |
All-weather interceptor |
| Contractor |
Convair |
| Power plant |
One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-23 or J57-P-25 turbojet engine |
| Thrust |
normal |
16,000 lb |
71.17 kNx |
| with afterburner |
17,196 lb |
17.196 lb) |
| Wingspan |
38.12 ft |
11.62 m |
| Length |
68.34 ft |
20.83 m |
| Height |
21.36 ft |
6.51 m |
| Max. speed |
825 mph |
1,327 km/h |
| Initial climb rate |
779,528 ft/s |
3,960 m/min |
| Ceiling |
52,500 ft |
16,000 m |
| Max. range |
1,350 miles |
2,170 km |
| Weight |
empty |
19,360 lb |
8,780 kg; |
| combat |
24,500 lb |
11,110 kg; |
| max.takeoff |
31,500 lb |
14,290 kg |
| Fuel tanks |
internal |
1,085 gallons |
4,107 lt. |
| external |
2x 755 gallons |
2x 2,858 lt. |
| Armament |
24 unguided 2.75 inch rockets and six AIM-4 Falcon guided
missiles. |
Jirka Wagner
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