X-16

Specifications

Company- Bell Aircraft
Type- Testbed for U2 spy plane series.
Goals- High-altitude, long-range reconnaissance aircraft.
Primary Testing Facility Research- None
Dimensions- Span- 114 ft, 10 in; Length- 60 ft, 10 in; Height: 17 ft, 1 in
Max Speed- 553 MPH
Range- 3,319 miles
Max Altitude- 71,832 ft
Power Plant- Pratt and Whitney J57-PW-31A turbojets
Thrust- 9,040 lbf
Weights- Empty: 23,280 lbs; Loaded: 36,124 lbs
Payload- N/A
Flights- 0
Number of Prototypes Built- 0
Project Tenure- 1956
Project Status- Cancelled

Information

The Bell X-16 was an aircraft designed as a high altitude reconnaissance jet aircraft in the United States in the 1950s. A mockup of the X-16 was built, but the project was cancelled in favor of Martin RB-57 before any X-16 aircraft were completed. The designation of X-16 was a cover to try to hide the true nature of the craft from the Soviets during the Cold War.

During the second half of 1953, Fairchild, Bell, and Martin Aircraft conducted high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft design studies for the U.S. Air Force. All three designs used Pratt & Whitney J57-P19 engines. The Bell (X-16) and Martin (B-57D) designs were chosen for further development. The Bell design was designated the X-16. The X-16 project was cancelled by the Air Force in favor of Martin RB-57 in 1956. A full-scale X-16 mockup was completed and one aircraft was partially completed. It was designed as a high-altitude long-range reconnaissance aircraft. A total of 28 aircraft were ordered, but none were completed. The first X-16 was about 80-percent complete when the program was cancelled in 1956.

The X-16 design was breaking new ground with its design. Its wing was extremely long with a high-aspect ratio. It was significantly lighter and more flexible than any in existence at that time. The entire aircraft was made as light as possible to fulfill its mission of a 3,000-mile unrefueled range at a 70,000 foot altitude.

Although no X-16 was ever completed, it made contributions to aircraft design with its lightweight design. It was also a driving force behind the development of the high-altitude J57 jet engine that would later power the U-2 and other aircraft.

** Information provided by Wikipedia **