Northrop F-89 Scorpion
Photo from USAF Museum
The F-89 Scorpion was America's first All-whether jet interceptor. The straight wing Scorpion was capable of speeds roughly the speed of sound and could carry powerful weapons loads, including the AIR-2 Genie nuclear rocket and the AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missile. The radio operator in the rear cockpit would guide the pilot to the proper interception position, a function that would be performed by computers by the end of the 1950's. The F-89J was Air Defence Command's first nuclear armed interceptor. On July 19, 1957 a Genie rocket was test fired from one of 300 F-89 converted from D to J variants. This was the first firing and detonation of an air-to-air nuclear weapon.
Specifications
(Data for F-89J)
Origin: Northrop Aircraft Corporation
Type: All weather fighter interceptor
Crew: Pilot & Radio Operator
Powerplant: Two Allison J35 Turbojets of 3 240 kg thrust each with afterburner
Dimensions
Span: 59 ft. 10 in.
Height: 17 ft. 6 in.
Length: 53 ft. 8 in.
Weight: 21 465 kg max
Performance
Maximum Speed: 1 003 kph
Cruising Speed: 744 kph
Climb Rate:
Range: 2 560 km
Service Ceiling: 13 500 m
Armament
2x AIR-2A Genie air-to-air rocket with nuclear warhead & 4x AIM-4C Falcon air to air missile
First Flight: August 1948
User(s): RETIRED
Production: 1 050
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