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 liqued-fuel rocket. Its first flight was in July, 1958.
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.
Five X-12 rockets were built and five flights were made out of Cape Canaveral, but no X-12s are believed to have survived.
Specifications (X-12)
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: Engine type(s), kN (lbf) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed:
- Range: km ( miles)
- Service ceiling: m ( ft)
- Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
- Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight:
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:
Last updated: 05-31-2005 12:50:13
