The era of what was known as the Jet Age in the 1950s saw the biggest boom of advancements in terms of aircraft technology. After the internal combustion era in the 1940s, what followed post-war was the revolution of the aircraft industry that slowly developed after engineers saw its potential. In what was deemed the golden age of aircraft design, no idea was too odd or weird. It saw the birth of aircraft like the Lockheed XFV and the pancake-looking VZ-9 Arvocar. Another proposal, although it never really flew, was the XF-108 Rapier.

The XF-108 Rapier

The North American XF-108 Rapier was manufactured by North American Aviation, the same company that conceived the P-51 Mustang. It was a proposed long-range, high-speed interceptor aircraft that was intended to use as the United States’ protection against the threat of supersonic Soviet strategic bombers armed with nuclear weapons. If it actually flew, the XF-108’s long-range and extremely high-speed design would have been one of the most advanced and highest performing aircraft of its time.

Artist’s impression of the North American XF-108 Rapier. (Bzuk, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The idea was for it to fly fast and intercept Soviet bombers before they could drop their bombs. The designers hoped that the XF-108 would accompany the XB-70 Valkyrie bomber as well as an escort, which was also developed by North American Aviation. The problem with XB-70 at that time was it was too fast for any existing fighter to escort on a bombing mission.

XF At a Closer Look

The main thing about Rapier was its speed. Rapier was powered by General Electric YJ93 engines that could produce 29,300 pounds of thrust on each side with afterburners. This was expected to give the XF-108 a speed of around 2,000 MPH.  This was in the 1950s too!