Douglas F6D Missileer

The Douglas F6D Missileer was a proposed carrier-based fleet defense fighter designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company in response to a 1959 United States Navy requirement. It was meant to loiter for long periods at a relatively long distance from the Navy carriers and engage hostile aircraft 100 miles away with its powerful radar and long-range missiles; because the enemy would be fired on long before reaching visual range, it had little dogfighting capability and was strictly subsonic. When doubts were raised about its ability to defend itself after firing its missiles, the value of the project was questioned, and the F6D was cancelled in December 1961. Its lasting contribution was its engines, radar and missiles, and the TF30 turbofan with afterburner was used on both the F-111 and the F-14.