The Republic XF-103 was an American project to develop a powerful missile-armed interceptor aircraft capable of destroying Soviet bombers while flying at speeds as high as Mach 3. Despite a prolonged development, it never progressed past the mockup stage.

Jan 16, 2020 · The most unique feature of the XF-103 was the dual-cycle propulsion system which could act as a traditional turbojet as well as a ramjet. The combination of the Wright Aeronautical Corporation XJ67 engine and XRJ55 afterburner unit meant the turbojet could be shut down for speeds above Mach 3 making the XF-103 a pure ramjet.

Jul 21, 2021 · The XF-103 was to be armed with a long-range radar, six GAR-3 Falcon infrared or radar-guided air-to-air missiles, plus thirty-six unguided Mighty Mouse 2.75-inch air-to-air rockets.

The XF-103 was developed as a high-speed high-altitude aircraft specifically designed to intercept incoming enemy bombers. The XF-103 was proposed in the same contract competition that resulted in the Convair F-102--Project MX-1554 Interceptor Fighter Airplane.

The Republic XF-103 was a beautiful concept for a combat aircraft and a terrific example of a “might have been” that never was. It was designed, developed and subsidized in the mid-1950s when defense dollars abounded, but it was never built or flown.

Dec 28, 2016 · Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the Republic XF-103 (Thunderwarrior) Supersonic Mixed-Propulsion Interceptor Proposal including pictures.

Dec 13, 2023 · The XF-103 was designed to meet the United States Air Force’s need for a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor capable of countering the Soviet bomber threat during the Cold War. One of the most notable aspects of the XF-103’s design was its propulsion system.

The mid-1950s development became the Republic XF-103 Thunder Warrior (Corporate Designation "AP-57"), designed to meet USAF requirements for a technologically advanced, supersonic, missile-armed interceptor starting in 1949.

The Republic XF-103 had its origin in an early-1949 request by the USAF for an advanced interceptor capable of surpassing the speed and altitude performance of new Soviet intercontinental bombers that American intelligence officials warned would soon be available in …

Dec 21, 2023 · The Republic XF-103, an advanced interceptor concept originating in the early 1950s, was designed to exceed the performance of new Soviet intercontinental bombers. Its remarkable capabilities were to be achieved through a dual-cycle propulsion system.