Republic XF-91

Republic XF-91
Land	Usa
Role	Prototype onderscheppingsvliegtuig
Eerste vlucht	9 mei 1949
Gebouwd	2

De Republiek XF-91 Thunderceptor (oorspronkelijk aangeduid als XP-91) is een prototype van een onderscheppingsvliegtuig met gemengde voortstuwing, ontwikkeld door Republic Aviation. Het vliegtuig zou voor het grootste deel van de vlucht een straalmotor gebruiken en een cluster van vier kleine raketmotoren voor extra stuwkracht tijdens het klimmen en onderscheppen. Het ontwerp was grotendeels achterhaald tegen de tijd dat het werd voltooid vanwege de snel toenemende prestaties van hedendaagse straalmotoren, en er werden slechts twee prototypes gebouwd. Een van deze was de eerste Amerikaanse jager die Mach 1 overschreed in vlakke vlucht.

Bron: Republic XF-91 op Wikipedia

Republiek XF-91
Fotografen	John Heck, Vladimir Yakubov
Lokalisatie	Nationaal Lucht - & Ruimtemuseum, Washington DC
Foto 's	99

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 01

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 02

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 03

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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)
Role	Experimental Mixed-Power Interceptor
National Origin	Verenigde Staten
Fabrikant	Republic Aviation Company
First Flight	9 mei 1949
Bemanning	1 (Pilot)
Lengte	13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
Spanwijdte	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.