Douglas X-3 Stiletto

E18817

The Douglas X-3 Stiletto was a slender, jet-powered experimental research aircraft of the early 1950s designed to investigate sustained supersonic flight and advanced aerodynamic concepts for future high-speed aircraft.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf experimental aircraft
jet-powered aircraft
research aircraft
supersonic aircraft
aircraftCategory X-plane
airframeMaterial primarily metal construction
configuration mid-wing monoplane
single-seat
twin-engine
countryOfOrigin United States
crew 1
designedFor advanced aerodynamic concepts research
future high-speed aircraft development
sustained supersonic flight investigation
displayLocation National Museum of the United States Air Force
displayLocationCity Dayton, Ohio
era early 1950s
firstFlight 1952-10-20
fuselageType slender fuselage
intendedRole aerodynamic research
supersonic research
landingGear tricycle landing gear
manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company
maximumSpeed about Mach 1.2 in a dive
subsonic in level flight
noseGearFeature long nose gear strut
noseType very long pointed nose
notableFor data on slender-fuselage high-speed design
investigation of inertial roll coupling
numberBuilt 1
operator National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
United States Air Force
powerplant 2 × Westinghouse J34 turbojet engines
primaryUser USAF
programOutcome did not achieve planned sustained Mach 2 performance
programSponsor NACA
United States Air Force
programType experimental research program
reasonForPerformanceLimitation underpowered engines
registrationOrSerial USAF serial 49-2892
researchFocus stability and control at transonic and supersonic speeds
structural loads at high speed
status retired
successorInfluenceOn later supersonic fighter designs
slender-fuselage high-speed aircraft concepts
tailType conventional tail
usedBy NACA High-Speed Flight Station
wingPlacement low-to-mid wing
wingType small straight wings

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
X-Plane experimental aircraft programs
notableAircraft

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