Republic XF-91

Republic XF-91
Paese	Usa
Ruolo	Prototipo di aereo intercettore
Primo volo	9 maggio 1949
Costruito	2

Le Repubblica XF-91 Thunderceptor (originariamente designato XP-91) è un prototipo di aereo intercettore a propulsione mista, sviluppato dalla Republic Aviation. L'aereo avrebbe utilizzato un motore a reazione per la maggior parte dei voli e un gruppo di quattro piccoli motori a razzo per una maggiore spinta durante la salita e l'intercettazione. Il progetto era in gran parte obsoleto quando fu completato a causa del rapido aumento delle prestazioni dei motori a reazione contemporanei, e furono costruiti solo due prototipi. Uno di questi è stato il primo caccia americano a superare Mach 1 in volo livellato.

fonte: Repubblica XF-91 su Wikipedia

Repubblica XF-91
Fotografi	John Heck, Vladimir Jakubov
Localizzazione	National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC
Foto	99

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 01

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Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 08

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 09

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General Characteristics and Role

The Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor was an experimental prototype interceptor aircraft developed for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in the late 1940s. Its primary role was to explore the concept of a high-performance, short-range interceptor that could rapidly climb to high altitudes and intercept enemy bombers. To achieve this, the aircraft was equipped with a revolutionary mixed-propulsion system combining a turbojet engine for cruise and four rocket engines for bursts of acceleration during combat or climb. The XF-91 is perhaps best known for its uniquely designed inverse tapered wings, a feature intended to mitigate Mach tuck and improve low-speed handling.

Property	Typical Value (XF-91)
Ruolo	Experimental Mixed-Power Interceptor
National Origin	Stati Uniti
Produttore	Republic Aviation Company
First Flight	9 maggio 1949
Equipaggio	1 (Pilot)
Lunghezza	13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
Apertura alare	9.51 m (31 ft 2 in)
Gross Weight	8,870 kg (19,550 lb)

Propulsion and Aerodynamics

Primary Engine: 1 x General Electric J47-GE-3 turbojet engine (in the rear fuselage).
Turbojet Thrust: 23.35 kN (5,200 lbf) (dry).
Auxiliary Power: 4 x Reaction Motors XLR11 liquid-fueled rocket engines (mounted in the tail above and below the jet exhaust).
Rocket Thrust: Approx. 26.7 kN (6,000 lbf) total for short bursts.
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.71 (achieved in a later powered flight). It was the first U.S. fighter to exceed Mach 1 in level flight using a mixed-propulsion system.
Inverse Taper Wing: The wing chord was wider at the tip than at the root (the inverse of conventional taper). This arrangement maintained high lift at the tips, helping to prevent tip stall and improve control at high angles of attack.
Landing Gear: Featured a unique bicycle-style main landing gear with two main wheels side-by-side at the center of the fuselage, supported by small outrigger wheels under the wingtips.

Program Outcome and Legacy

Technical Success: The XF-91 proved the feasibility of using rocket augmentation for performance bursts and demonstrated the viability of the inverse taper wing concept for high-speed flight control.
Cancellation: Despite its technical achievements, the program was canceled in 1952. The development of more powerful, conventional turbojet engines (which eliminated the need for complex, short-duration rocket power) and the rise of the superior all-jet F-104 Starfighter made the mixed-power interceptor obsolete.
Legacy: The inverse taper wing design, while not adopted, was an important piece of research. The aircraft’s testing provided vital data on high-Mach flight and supersonic stability.
Preservation: The sole remaining prototype is preserved and displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.