de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen

The twin-boom naval fighter built for fleet air defense.

Overview

de Havilland United Kingdom 1959–1966 $15 million

The de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen was a British carrier-based interceptor developed in the 1950s. Designed for all-weather fleet defense, it featured a distinctive twin-boom configuration. The aircraft served with the Royal Navy during the Cold War.

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.208 turbojets
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 11,000 lbf · 49 kN
Avionics
GEC AI.18 Air Interception radar
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
55 ft 7 in  ·  16.94 m
Tail height
10 ft 9 in  ·  3.28 m
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
51 ft 0 in  ·  15.54 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
46,800 lb  ·  21,200 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
—
Fuel capacity
970 gal · 3,700 L · 2,900 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
599 kt  ·  689 mph  ·  1,109 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
686 nm  ·  790 mi  ·  1,270 km
Fuel burn
0.70 nm/gal  ·  0.34 km/L
Ceiling
48,000 ft  ·  14,600 m
Rate of climb
9,000 ft/min  ·  46 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen

Operational Context

de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen — carrier-based all-weather interceptor

The Sea Vixen first flew in 1951 and entered Royal Navy service in 1959. It was designed as an all-weather interceptor capable of operating from aircraft carriers. The twin-boom layout and swept wings provided stability and performance for maritime operations.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines producing approximately 11,000 pounds of thrust (49 kN) each, the Sea Vixen could exceed Mach 1. Maximum takeoff weight was around 36,000 pounds (16,330 kg). The aircraft carried radar-guided missiles for fleet air defense missions.

The Sea Vixen served throughout the 1960s in carrier-based roles. Its radar and missile systems enhanced the Royal Navy’s interception capability. The aircraft remains one of Britain’s most distinctive naval fighters of the jet age.