Lockheed X-7

The Lockheed X-7 (dubbed the "Flying Stove Pipe") was an unmanned test bed for ramjet engines and missile guidance technology. It was carried aloft by a B-29 or B-50 Superfortress carrier aircraft. The booster rocket ignited after launch and propelled the vehicle to a speed of 1,000 mph (1,625 km/h). The booster was then jettisoned, and the underslung ramjet took over from that point. The X-7 eventually returned to Earth, its descent slowed by parachute. A maximum speed of 2,881 mph (4640 km/h / Mach 4.31) was attained, setting a record for fastest air-breathing aircraft. A total of 130 X-7 flights were conducted from April 1951 to July 1960.

pecifications (X-7A-1)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=both
ref=
crew=None
capacity=
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 32 ft 9 in
length alt= 9.98 m
span main= 12 ft
span alt= 3.66 m
height main= 7 ft
height alt= 2.1 m
area main=
area alt=
airfoil=
empty weight main=
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main= 8,000 lb
loaded weight alt= 3,600 kg
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=
engine (jet)=Alleghany Ballistics Laboratories X202-C3
type of jet=solid-fuel rocket
number of jets=1
thrust main= 105,000 lbf
thrust alt= 467 kN
thrust original=
afterburning thrust main=
afterburning thrust alt=
engine (prop)= various ramjets under test
type of prop=
number of props=1
power main=
power alt=
power original=
max speed main= Mach 4.31
max speed alt= 2,881 mph, 4,640 km/h
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main=
range alt=
ceiling main= 106,000 ft
ceiling alt= 32,317 m
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=
Q-5 Kingfisher

similar aircraft=
Bomarc

sequence=

lists=

see also=

External links

* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-60.html Q-5/AQM-60]