The Bell X-16 was a high-altitude reconnaissance jet aircraft designed in the United States in the 1950s, and the X-16 designation was a cover intended to hide its true mission from the Soviet Union. In the second half of 1953 Fairchild, Bell and Martin made design studies for the Air Force under project MX-2147, and the Bell Model 67 and the Martin design that became the B-57D were chosen for further development. The X-16 was meant to fly 3,000 miles unrefueled at 69,500 feet and was built as light as possible, with a wingspan of almost 115 feet and two Pratt and Whitney J57 turbojets. A full-scale mock-up was completed and 28 aircraft were ordered, but none were finished: the first was about 80 percent complete when the Air Force cancelled the program in 1956 in favor of the Martin RB-57.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) EngineTwo Pratt & Whitney J57-PW-37A turbojets 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Of Make
Source Bell X-16 (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Bell X-16 (Wikipedia)
Lead, design studies
During the second half of 1953, Fairchild, Bell, and Martin Aircraft conducted high altitude reconnaissance aircraft design studies for the United States Air Force
Specifications, empty weight
Empty weight: 23,280 lb (10,582 kg)
Specifications, maximum speed
Maximum speed: 480 kn (553 mph, 885 km/h)
Development, orders
A total of 28 aircraft were ordered, but none were completed.
Specifications, powerplant
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J57-PW-37A turbojets, 10,000 lbf (44 kN) thrust each
Lead, aircraft description
The Bell X-16 was a high altitude aerial reconnaissance jet aircraft
Development, cancellation
The first X-16 was about 80 percent complete when the program was cancelled by the Air Force in favor of the Martin RB-57 in 1956.
Lead, builder
The Bell Model 67 design was designated the X-16.
Lead, country
The Bell X-16 was a high altitude aerial reconnaissance jet aircraft designed in the United States in the 1950s.
In Group: Experimental Jet Research Aircraft, Lead, role of the aircraft
The Bell X-16 was a high altitude aerial reconnaissance jet aircraft designed in the United States in the 1950s.
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