Convair X-12

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The Convair X-12 was the second, more advanced testbed for the Atlas rocket program. It was designed with 3 engines, its predecessor the Convair X-11 used only one engine. It was powered by a 1.5 stage liquid-fuel rocket. Its first flight was in July, 1958.

[edit] Service history

The X-12 pioneered the use of 1.5 stage rocket engines that became a hallmark of the Atlas rocket program. It was also the first rocket to achieve a flight distance that could be considered intercontinental when it flew 6,325 miles (10,179 km).

According to a 2001 article in Code One Magazine by Lockheed, No X-12 was ever built or flown.

[edit] Specifications (X-12)

[edit] General characteristics

• Crew: Unmanned
• Length: 103 ft 0 in (31.4 m)
• Wingspan: m ( ft)
• Diameter: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
• Wing area: m² ( ft²)
• Empty: kg ( lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Powerplant:2x North American standard XLR-43-NA-5 rockets (1/2 stage, jettisoned during launch phase) and 1x steerable (gimbled) XLR-43-NA-5 (main stage), kN (lbf) thrust

[edit] Performance

• Maximum speed:18,000 mph (mach 18+)
• Range: km ( miles)
• Service ceiling: m ( ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 7/1

[edit] Related content

Related Development: Bell GAM-63

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: X-9 - X-10 - X-11 - X-12 - X-13 - X-14 - X-15

See also:

• List of experimental aircraft
• X-plane