Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (Interceptor)
GENERAL INFO:
Dynamics Corporation
BACKGROUND:
The primary mission of the F-102 was to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. It was the world’s first supersonic, all-weather jet interceptor and the U.S. Air Force’s first operational delta wing aircraft. The U.S. Air Force employed TF-102As with side-by-side seating as combat trainers.
The F-102 made its initial flight on October 24, 1953, and became operational with the Air Defense Command (ADC) in 1956. At the peak of deployment in the late 1950s, F-102s equipped more than 25 ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,000 F-102s, most of which were F-102As.
In a tactical situation the F-102’s sophisticated electronic equipment could locate enemy aircraft targets and provide radar guidance into attack position. At the appropriate moment, the electronic fire control system would automatically fire the F-102’s air-to-air rockets and missiles.
Please visit “New Arrival F-102A Delta Dagger” blog post for more information on this aircraft.
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First flight, October 1953; Operational 1956
One Pratt & Whitney J57
38 feet 1 inches (11.61 m)
68 feet 4 inches (20.8 m)
21 feet 2 inches (6.5 m)
31,559 pounds (14314.9 kg)
810 mph (1303.6 km/h)
55,000 feet (16.8 km)
1,000 miles (1609.3 km)
One
24 × 2.75 in (70 mm) FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket)
unguided rockets in missile bay doors
Various missile loadouts
