Lockheed X-7
The Lockheed X-7 (dubbed the "Flying Stove Pipe") was an unmanned test bed for ramjet engines and missile guidance technology. It was carried aloft by a B-29 or B-50 Superfortress carrier aircraft. The booster ignited after launch and propelled the vehicle to a speed of 1,000 mph (1,625 km/h). The booster was then jettisoned, and the underslung ramjet took over from that point. The X-7 eventually returned to Earth, its descent slowed by parachute. A maximum speed of 2,881 mph (4640 km/h / Mach 4.31) was attained, setting a record for fastest air-breathing aircraft. A total of 130 X-7 flights were conducted from April 1951 to July 1960.
Contents |
Specifications (X-7A-1)
General characteristics
- Crew: none
- Length: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
- Wingspan: 12 ft (3.66 m)
- Height: 7 ft in (2.1 m)
- Wing area: ft² ( m²)
- Empty: lb ( kg)
- Loaded: 8,000 lb (3,600 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
- Powerplant:
- Booster: Alleghany Ballistics Laboratories X202-C3 solid-fuel rocket, 105,000 lbf (467 kN) thrust
- Sustainer: various ramjets under test
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 4.31 (2,881 mph, 4,640 km/h)
- Range: miles ( km)
- Maximum height: 106,000 ft (32,317 m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
- Thrust/Weight:
Related content
Related development:Q-5 Kingfisher
Comparable aircraft:Bomarc
X-1 • X-2 • X-3 • X-4 • X-5 • X-6 • X-7 • X-8 • X-9 • X-10 • X-11 • X-12 • X-13 • X-14 • X-15 • X-16 • X-17 • X-18 • X-19 • X-20 • X-21 • X-22 • X-23 • X-24 • X-25 • X-26 • X-27 • X-28 • X-29 • X-30 • X-31 • X-32 • X-33 • X-34 • X-35 • X-36 • X-37 • X-38 • X-39 • X-40 • X-41 • X-42 • X-43 • X-44 • X-45 • X-46 • X-47 • X-48 • X-49 • X-50 • X-51
See also List of experimental aircraft
Categories
U.S. experimental aircraft 1950-1959 | UAVs and drones