North American F-100 Super Sabre

The supersonic fighter that brought Mach 1 performance to frontline service.

Overview

North American Aviation (NAA) United States ICAO: F100 1953–1959 Active $5.4 million (2019)

The North American F-100 Super Sabre was the first U.S. Air Force fighter capable of sustained supersonic flight in level flight. Introduced in the 1950s, it marked a major step beyond the F-86 Sabre. The aircraft later evolved into a fighter-bomber with extensive combat service in Southeast Asia.

Live Fleet Activity (F100)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-21/21A
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
16,000 lbf · 71 kN
Avionics
Minneapolis-Honeywell MB-3, AN/AJB-1B, AN/APR-26
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
49 ft 3 in  ·  15.00 m
Tail height
16 ft 3 in  ·  4.95 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Wing span
38 ft 9 in  ·  11.80 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
34,800 lb  ·  15,800 kg
Max landing weight
34,400 lb  ·  15,600 kg
Max payload
7,050 lb  ·  3,200 kg
Fuel capacity
2,600 gal · 9,900 L · 7,900 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
803 kt  ·  924 mph  ·  1,487 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
162 kt  ·  186 mph  ·  300 km/h
Range
1,734 nm  ·  2,000 mi  ·  3,210 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
50,000 ft  ·  15,200 m
Rate of climb
22,400 ft/min  ·  114 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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U.S. Air Force North American QF-100D Super Sabre

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Operational Context

North American F-100 Super Sabre — supersonic fighter-bomber

The F-100 first flew in 1953 and entered service in 1954. Developed as a successor to the F-86, it featured a swept wing and afterburning turbojet engine. Early variants experienced handling issues that were addressed through aerodynamic refinements and structural improvements.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet producing approximately 16,000 pounds of thrust (71 kN) with afterburner, the F-100 exceeded Mach 1.3. Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 34,000 pounds (15,422 kg). Later fighter-bomber variants carried bombs, rockets, and external fuel tanks for extended range.

The F-100 saw extensive service during the Vietnam War in strike and close air support roles. It also served with Air National Guard units for many years. The Super Sabre represented the beginning of the U.S. Air Force’s Century Series fighters.