Lockheed L-242

History of the Lockheed L-242

The Lockheed L-242 Project Fighter was a proposed supersonic interceptor aircraft designed for the United States National Navy (USN) in the 1950s. It was based on the Lockheed F-104 "Starfighter" used by the United States Air Force (USAF). The main features of the L-242 were its thin short wings, mounted in the middle of the fuselage, and a high-set tail configuration for improved maneuverability.

The aircraft had a retractable tricycle landing gear for ground operation and did not require folding wings for carrier storage. However, it was designed to carry launch gear for deck takeoffs and an arresting hook for carrier landings.

The L-242 was armed with a 4 x 20mm internal automatic cannon located below the cockpit, along with air-to-air missiles for combat. It also had wingtip fuel tanks for extended range. The fighter was equipped with radar systems to enhance its air-to-air capabilities over water.

The chosen engine for the L-242 was the Wright TJ31B3 afterburner turbojet, which provided thrust between 7,500 and 11,000 pounds. This engine was a US version of the British Armstrong-Siddeley "Sapphire" engine. The aircraft's length was 48.2 feet, wingspan 22 feet, and takeoff weight around 18,800 pounds. It had a top speed of Mach 1.75 with full afterburner, a climb rate of nearly 40,000 feet per minute, and could reach altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet. The combat radius was 485 miles.

Unfortunately, the L-242 was not selected for further development and did not progress beyond the proposed stage.

Specification

Base

Year of Service: 1953

Origins: United States

Status: Development ended.

Crew: 1

Manufacturer: Lockheed - USA

Carrier: United States (removed)

Roles

Air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Intercept

The ability to intercept incoming airborne threats with high performance, usually speed and rate of climb.

Nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Seaport

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Pilot/crew ejection system

Auxiliary procedures to allow pilot and/or crew ejection in the event of an air emergency.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 48.2 feet (14.70m)

Width/span: 22.1 ft (6.75m)

Cured weight: 16,667 lbs (7,560 kg)

MTOW: 18,783 lbs (8,520 kg)

Wgt Difference: +2,116 lbs (+960 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Central Install

The main aircraft is mounted below the center on the sides of the fuselage.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 x Wright TJ31B3 (J65, Armstrong-Siideley "Sapphire") afterburning turbojet producing 7,600 pounds of dry thrust and up to 11,000 pounds of reheated thrust.

Maximum speed: 786 km/h (1,265 km/h | 683 knots)

Cruising speed: 590 km/h (950 km/h | 513 kn)

Maximum speed difference: +196 km/h (+315 km/h | 170 kn)

Maximum: 52,001 feet (15,850 m | 10 km)

Area: 488 km (785 km | 1,454 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 39,500 ft/min (12,040 m/min)

Weapons

Recommended: 4 x 20mm internal autocannon in lower nose assembly. 50mm air-to-air missiles and early air-to-air missiles are also supported.