Suntan was the code-name of a prototype reconnaissance aircraft program at Lockheed whose goal was a much faster and higher-flying successor to the U-2, made possible by burning liquid hydrogen as aircraft fuel. From 1956 the United States Air Force funded the secret research, and Lockheed's Skunk Works settled on the CL-400, which looked like a greatly scaled-up F-104 Starfighter with twin engines on the wing tips so the cold hydrogen would pass through the hot wings on its way to them. Pratt and Whitney played a major part. The program produced a concept design for a Mach 2.5 aircraft able to fly at 100,000 feet, the conversion of an existing turbojet to run on liquid hydrogen, and more than 25 hours of testing on a customized engine. Budget pressure, range problems and the danger and cost of the fuel led to cancellation in 1958, and the research moved to the conventionally fuelled design that became the SR-71.
Facts
Engine Class Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Lockheed CL-400 Suntan (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Lockheed CL-400 Suntan (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Lockheed CL-400 Suntan (Wikipedia)ManufacturerQuote, Manufacturer
Lockheed settled on the CL-400 design, which looked like a greatly scaled-up Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Lockheed CL-400 Suntan (Wikipedia)Design, programmeQuote, Design, programme
Starting in 1956, the United States Air Force funded a highly secretive program of research and development on high-speed aircraft for long-range reconnaissance.
Sources
1. Lockheed CL-400 Suntan (Wikipedia)
Lead, body style
Suntan was the code-name of a prototype reconnaissance aircraft program, with the goal of creating a much faster and higher-altitude successor to the U-2, enabled by the use of liquid hydrogen (LH2) as aircraft fuel.
Lead, status
The program was cancelled in 1958.
Lead, fuel
the use of liquid hydrogen (LH2) as aircraft fuel
Design, engine conversion
successful conversion of an existing turbojet engine to run on liquid hydrogen
Manufacturer
Lockheed settled on the CL-400 design, which looked like a greatly scaled-up Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
Design, programme
Starting in 1956, the United States Air Force funded a highly secretive program of research and development on high-speed aircraft for long-range reconnaissance.
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, mode
Suntan was the code-name of a prototype reconnaissance aircraft program, with the goal of creating a much faster and higher-altitude successor to the U-2, enabled by the use of liquid hydrogen (LH2) as aircraft fuel.
Of Make: Lockheed Corporation, Lead, make
Lockheed settled on the CL-400 design, which looked like a greatly scaled-up Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
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