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D-188A (Bell #)/ XF-109 (USAF #)

Navy study for supersonic VTOL began in 1958. Air Force later joined program to construct a Mach 2 fighter. Mock-up of XF-109 completed in 1961, but flyable version never built. Power: Eight General Electric J85-GE-5 engines of 2,600 lbs. thrust; 3,850 lbs. with afterburners (6 of them: 2 in fuselage, 4 paired in wingtip nacelles) Maximum Speed: 1,520 mph (Mach 2.3); able to maintain for 390 miles Range: 1,382 miles (@ 35,000 feet & subsonic speed) Climb Rate: 60,000 feet per minute Ferry Range: 2,300 miles Wingspan: 23 feet, 9 inches Wing Area: 194 ft.² Length: 62 feet Height: 12 feet, 9 inches (engines @ horizontal) Empty Weight: 13,791 lbs. Gross Weight: 23,917 lbs. Rotational Arc: horizontal to 10º, thus allowing to fly backwards

Sources:
• Campbell, John P. Vertical TakeOff & Landing Aircraft. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1962.
• Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Fighters Army - Air Force 1925 to 1980s. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1975.