Focke-Wulf Ta 283

The Focke-Wulf Ta 283, properly the Strahlrohrjäger, was a German swept-wing, ramjet-powered interceptor proposal of the Second World War that never went beyond a design study before the surrender of Nazi Germany. It was proposed at the same time as the Focke-Wulf Super Lorin. A Walter HWK 509 rocket engine was to provide take-off power and the initial velocity needed to start two Pabst ramjets, which cannot produce thrust at zero or low airspeed and were to sit on the tips of the sharply swept tailplanes for cruising. The low-mounted wings were swept at 45 degrees, and the armament was to be two 30 mm MK 108 cannon. The name Ta 283, used in many publications, is a postwar invention derived from the drawing number 283, because there is no evidence that the Strahlrohrjäger was ever allocated an RLM designation.