North American X-10

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The North American X-10, much like the X-9 Shrike, was an unmanned technology demonstrator for advanced missile technologies.

[edit] Service history

The North American X-10 on the runway

North American's development of long-range surface-to-surface missiles eventually led to the RTA-A-5, redesignated as the X-10 in 1951 and first flown on October 13 1953. The ultimate derivative of the X-10 was the short-lived SM-64 Navaho cruise missile.

The X-10 was powered by two turbojet engines, and could take off and land like a conventional aircraft. The all-moving canards and delta wing were identical to those used on the Navaho. The X-10 was controlled by a radio-command guidance system and was equipped with an autopilot for stable flight. Later X-10s included an inertial navigation system.

At the time, X-10 was the fastest turbojet-powered aircraft flown, reaching a peak speed of Mach 2.05. The program continued with great success until November 1956, when the first tests of Navaho began. The program moved to Cape Canaveral in 1955, where testing resumed until 1959. Of the thirteen X-10s built, only one survived, the others having been lost in landing accidents or expended as target drones.

[edit] Specifications (X-10)

[edit] General characteristics

Length: 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m)
Wingspan: 28 ft 2 in (8.59 m)
Height: 14 ft 5 in (4.40 m)
Wing area: ft² ( m²)
Empty: lb ( kg)
Loaded: 40,000 lb (18,100 kg)
Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
Powerplant: 2x Westinghouse XJ40-WE-1 turbojets, 10,000 lbf (44.5 kN) thrust each