Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis...F-87_Blackhawk

The Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk (previously designated the XP-87) was a
prototype American all-weather jet fighter interceptor and the company's last
aircraft project. Designed as a replacement for the World War II–era
propeller-driven P-61 Black Widow night/interceptor aircraft, the XF-87 lost in
government procurement competition to the Northrop F-89 Scorpion. The loss of
the contract was fatal to the company; the Curtiss-Wright Corporation closed
down its aviation division, selling its assets to North American Aviation.

The aircraft started life as a project for an attack aircraft, designated XA-43.
When the United States Army Air Forces issued a requirement for a jet-powered
all-weather fighter in 1945, the design was reworked for that request.

The XP-87 was a large mid-wing aircraft with four engines paired in underwing
pods, with a mid-mounted tailplane and tricycle undercarriage. Two crew members
(pilot and radar operator) sat side by side under a single canopy. Armament was
to be a nose-mounted, powered turret containing four 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon, but
this was never fitted to the prototypes.


Role
Interceptor

Manufacturer
Curtiss-Wright

First flight
1 March 1948

Status
Cancelled 10 October 1948

Primary user
U.S. Air Force

Number built
2

Program cost
US$11.3 million

The first flight of the XF-87 Blackhawk was on 1 March 1948. Although the top
speed was slower than expected, the aircraft was otherwise acceptable, and the
newly formed (in September 1947) United States Air Force placed orders for 57
F-87A fighters and 30 RF-87A reconnaissance aircraft just over a month later.
Since the performance problems were due to lack of power, the four Westinghouse
XJ34-WE-7 turbojets of the prototypes were to be substituted for two General
Electric J47 jets in production models. One of the two XF-87 prototypes was to
be modified as a test bed for the new engines.

At this point, the USAF decided that the Northrop F-89 Scorpion was a more
promising aircraft. The F-87 contract was cancelled on 10 October 1948, and both
prototypes were scrapped.

Specifications (XF-87 No.1)

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 62 ft 10 in (19.15 m)
Wingspan: 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m)
Height: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
Wing area: 600 sq ft (56 m2)
Empty weight: 25,930 lb (11,762 kg)
Gross weight: 49,900 lb (22,634 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Westinghouse XJ34-WE-7 turbojet engines, 3,000 lbf (13 kN)
thrust each

Performance
Maximum speed: 600 mph (970 km/h, 520 kn) at sea level
Range: 1,000 mi (1,600 km, 870 nmi)
Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
Time to altitude: 35,000 ft (11,000 m) in 13 minutes 48 seconds

Armament

Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.787 in) AN/M2 cannon in the nose





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