Aerfer Sagittario 2

The Aerfer Sagittario 2 (Italian for "Archer") was a prototype all-metal single-seat lightweight fighter aircraft built in Italy, first flown in June 1956. It became the first Italian aircraft to break the sound barrier in controlled flight when it reached Mach 1.1 during a dive from 13,725 m (45,000 ft). It was intended to serve as an interceptor or light tactical support aircraft.

The Sagittario 2 was based on the earlier Sagittario, which was itself a development of the S.7 piston-engined training aircraft that went into service with the Italian Air Force in small numbers.

A small all-metal aircraft, the Sagittario 2 had its jet engine mounted in the nose, with the exhaust underneath the mid-fuselage. The wing and tail surfaces were highly-swept. The cockpit was moved forward of its position on the Sagittario's predecessors, and equipped with a bubble canopy. A tricycle undercarriage was fitted, with the nose gear retracting under the engine.

Development continued as the Ariete.

pecifications (Sagittario 2)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?= jet
ref=
crew= one, pilot
capacity=
length main= 9.50 m
length alt= 31 ft 2 in
span main= 7.50 m
span alt= 24 ft 7 in
height main=
height alt=
area main= 14.5 m²
area alt= 156 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 2,300 kg
empty weight alt= 5,060 lb
loaded weight main= 3,300 kg
loaded weight alt= 7,260 lb
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=
engine (jet)=Rolls-Royce Derwent 9
type of jet=turbojet engine
number of jets=1
thrust main= 16.2 kN
thrust alt= 3,593 lbf
thrust original=
afterburning thrust main=
afterburning thrust alt=
max speed main= 1,050 km/h
max speed alt= 567 knots, 656 mph
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main= 765 km
range alt= 413 nm, 478 mi
ceiling main= 12,000 m
ceiling alt= 39,360 ft
climb rate main= 2,438 m/min
climb rate alt= 7,997 ft/min
loading main= 228 kg/m²
loading alt= 47 lb/ft²
thrust/weight= 0.49
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament=
* 2 × Hispano-Suiza 30 mm cannons with 200 rpg
* Underwing mounts for either 2 × 227 kg (500 lb) bombs, 2 × 318 kg (700 lb) napalm tanks, 2 × machine guns or cannon, or 12 × 7.62 cm (3 in) rockets.
avionics=

References

* "The Aeroplane", December 21, 1956, p. 924

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Ambrosini S.7
* Ambrosini Sagittario
* Aerfer Ariete
* Aerfer Leone
similar aircraft=
lists=
* List of fighter aircraft
see also=