Convair F-106 Delta Dart

The supersonic interceptor built for high-speed continental air defense.

Overview

Convair United States ICAO: F106 1956–1968 $4.7 million (1973)

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was developed as a high-performance interceptor for the U.S. Air Force. Entering service in 1959, it was designed to defend North American airspace during the Cold War. The aircraft became one of the fastest interceptors of its era.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
24,500 lbf · 109 kN
Avionics
Hughes MA-1 Fire Control System & IBM Semi-Automatic Ground Environment
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
70 ft 9 in  ·  21.57 m
Tail height
20 ft 3 in  ·  6.18 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 7 in  ·  1.40 m
Wing span
38 ft 4 in  ·  11.68 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
41,800 lb  ·  19,000 kg
Max landing weight
35,300 lb  ·  16,000 kg
Max payload
10,000 lb  ·  4,550 kg
Fuel capacity
1,510 gal · 5,700 L · 4,600 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
1,325 kt  ·  1,525 mph  ·  2,454 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
144 kt  ·  166 mph  ·  267 km/h
Range
2,346 nm  ·  2,700 mi  ·  4,340 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
57,000 ft  ·  17,400 m
Rate of climb
30,000 ft/min  ·  152 m/s
Takeoff distance
4,200 ft  ·  1,280 m
Landing distance
4,400 ft  ·  1,340 m
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U.S. Air Force Convair F-106B-31-CO “Delta Dart” aircraft from the 119th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

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Operational Context

Convair F-106 Delta Dart — supersonic interceptor

The F-106 first flew in 1956 and entered service in 1959. It featured a delta wing and area-ruled fuselage optimized for supersonic flight. The aircraft was integrated into the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment defense system for coordinated interception missions.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojet engine producing approximately 24,500 pounds of thrust (109 kN) with afterburner, the F-106 could exceed Mach 2. Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 38,000 pounds (17,237 kg). It carried air-to-air missiles and a cannon depending on variant.

The F-106 served primarily in continental air defense roles. It remained in service into the 1980s before retirement. The aircraft is often regarded as one of the ultimate dedicated interceptors of the Cold War.

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