Republic XF-91

Republic XF-91
Krajiny	Spojené štáty americké
Úlohu	Prototyp interceptorového lietadla
Prvý let	9. mája 1949
Postavený	2

Komisia Republika XF-91 Thunderceptor (pôvodne označené XP-91) je prototyp interceptorového lietadla so zmiešaným pohonom, vyvinutý spoločnosťou Republic Aviation. Lietadlo by používalo prúdový motor pre väčšinu letov a zhluk štyroch malých raketových motorov pre zvýšený ťah počas stúpania a zachytenia. Dizajn bol v čase dokončenia do značnej miery zastaraný kvôli rýchlo sa zvyšujúcemu výkonu súčasných prúdových motorov a boli postavené iba dva prototypy. Jedným z nich bol prvý americký stíhač, ktorý prekročil Mach 1 vo vodorovnom lete.

Zdrojový: Republika XF-91 na Wikipédii

Republika XF-91
Fotografov	John Heck, Vladimir Jakubov
Lokalizácia	Národné múzeum letectva a vesmíru, Washington DC
Fotografie	99

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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)
Úlohu	Experimental Mixed-Power Interceptor
National Origin	Spojené štáty americké
Výrobca	Republic Aviation Company
First Flight	9. mája 1949
Posádky	1 (Pilot)
Dĺžka	13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
Rozpätie krídel	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.