https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_F-106_Delta_Dart
VARIOUS MOVIE ROLES INCLUDING: A Traveler Meets Air Traffic Control Fail Safe
(1964) The Invaders Space Race
The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft of
the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the
so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it proved to be the last dedicated interceptor
in U.S. Air Force service to date. It was gradually retired during the 1980s,
with the QF-106 drone conversions of the aircraft being used until 1998 under
the Pacer Six Program
Role Interceptor
Manufacturer Convair
First flight 26 December 1956
Introduction June 1959
Retired August 1988 (ANG); 1998 (NASA)
Primary users United States Air Force
Air National Guard
Number built 342 (2 prototypes, 277 F-106A, 63 F-106B)
Unit cost US$4.7 million (1973)[1]
$25.1 million (2014)
Developed from Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
The first prototype F-106, an aerodynamic test bed, flew on 26 December 1956
from Edwards Air Force Base, with the second, fitted with a fuller set of
equipment, following 26 February 1957.[13] Initial flight tests at the end of
1956 and beginning of 1957 were disappointing, with performance less than
anticipated, while the engine and avionics proved unreliable. These problems,
and the delays associated with them nearly led to the abandoning of the
program,[13][14] but the Air Force decided to order 350 F-106s instead of the
planned 1,000. After some minor redesign, the new aircraft, designated F-106A
were delivered to 15 fighter interceptor squadrons along with the F-106B
two-seat combat-capable trainer variant, starting in October 1959
The F-106 served in the continental US, Alaska, and Iceland, as well as for
brief periods in Germany and South Korea.
The F-106 was progressively updated in service, with improved avionics, a
modified wing featuring a noticeable conical camber, an infrared search and
track system, streamlined supersonic wing tanks which provided virtually no
degradation to overall aircraft performance, better instrumentation, and
features like an inflight refuelling receptacle and an arrestor hook for landing
emergencies.[29]
Air-to-air combat testing suggested "The Six" was a reasonable match for the
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in a dogfight, with superior high-altitude turn
performance and overall maneuverability (aided by the aircraft's lower wing
infrared Sidewinder missiles, while the Falcon missiles proved a disappointment
for dogfighting over Vietnam.[30] The F-4 had a higher thrust/weight ratio,
superior climb performance, and better high speed/low-altitude maneuverability,
and could be used as a fighter-bomber. Air combat experience over Vietnam showed
the need for increased pilot visibility and the utility of a built-in gun, which
had been added to the "E" variant of USAF Phantoms.
In 1972, some F-106As were upgraded in Project Six Shooter that involved fitting
the F-106 with a new bubble canopy, a canopy without the metal bracing along the
top.[31] This greatly improved pilot visibility. Also added was an optical
gunsight, and provision for a single M61 Vulcan 20 mm cannon. The M61 Vulcan had
650 rounds of ammunition in the center weapons bay and it replaced the AIM-26
Super Falcon or Genie.
The F-15A started replacing the F-106 in 1981, with "The Sixes" typically passed
on to Air National Guard units. The F-106 remained in service in various USAF
and ANG units until 1988
Specifications (F-106A)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 70.7 ft (21.55 m)
Wingspan: 38.25 ft (11.67 m)
Height: 20.28 ft (6.18 m)
(Conically-Cambered Wing) ()
Airfoil: NACA 0004-65 mod root and tip
Empty weight: 24,420 lb (11,077 kg)
Loaded weight: 34,510 lb (15,670 kg)
kN)
* Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0083
Aspect ratio: 2.10
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.3 (1,525 mph, 2,455 km/h at 12,200m (40,000ft))
Combat radius: 926km (500 nm/575 mi) with internal fuel [80] ()
Combat range: 2,900km (1,600 nm) ()
Ferry range: 4347km (2346 nm/2700 mi)with external tanks at 982 km/h
(530kts/610mph) at 12,500m (41,000ft) [80] ()
Service ceiling: 57,000 ft (17,380 m)
Rate of climb: 29,000 ft/min (150 m/s)
Thrust/weight: 0.71
Lift-to-drag ratio: 12.1 (Subsonic, est.)
Time to altitude: 6.9 min to 52,700 ft (16,065 m)
Armament
Guns: 1 20 mm caliber M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled rotary cannon (After 1972 refit)
Missiles:
2 AIM-4F Falcon
2 AIM-4G Falcon
1 AIR-2A Genie nuclear rocket or AIM-26 Super Falcon missile (Prior to 1972
refit)
*
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