Curtiss VF-11A

History

After World War II, the U.S. Navy embarked on a quest to modernize its fleet defense capabilities, transitioning from propeller-driven aircraft to turbojet-powered planes. Curtis proposed several designs to meet this need, including the VF-11 series, which aimed to address future requirements. Despite not advancing beyond the conceptual stage, these proposals offered valuable insights into aircraft design during the early Cold War era.

The original VF-11 featured a unique "tethered delta" shape with rounded fins and twin engines. Equipped with six high-speed airborne missiles and retractable tricycle landing gear, it represented an innovative approach to naval aviation. However, subsequent variants like the VF-11A introduced significant changes, such as a switch to a single-engine layout and modifications to the tail fin, reflecting efforts to optimize performance and adapt to evolving technological trends.

Ultimately, the U.S. Navy opted for other jet fighter models, such as the Douglas Skyray and McDonnell Demon, to fulfill its fleet defense needs. Despite the promising designs of the VF-11 series, practical considerations and strategic priorities led to the adoption of different aircraft. Nonetheless, the VF-11 program played a role in shaping the trajectory of naval aviation development during the Cold War period.

Specification

BASIC

Years in Service: 1947

Origins: United States

Status: Canceled

Crew: 1

Manufacturer: Curtis Aircraft Company - USA

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, prototyping, tech demos): 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.

Wing sweep: The main plane or leading edge has retraction lines for improved high-speed performance and handling.

Folding wings: The main aircraft is designed to be foldable, increasing storage capacity on land and at sea.

Sturdy aircraft frame: The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

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.

Extended range performance: Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Super performance: The design covers the three key performance categories of speed, altitude and range.

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.

Depression in crew members: Support the pressurization required for crew survival at higher operating altitudes.

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: 30 feet (9.15 m)

Width/span: 30 feet (9.15 m)

Cured weight: 8,708 lbs (3,950 kg)

MTOW: 10,240 lbs (4,645 kg)

Main aircraft 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.

Delta, tail: The delta plane features a traditional rear wing layout for improved control.

Performance

Installed: 1 x Rolls-Royce 'Nene' turbojet afterburner producing 5,000 lbs of thrust and 1 x rocket booster motor producing an additional 1,000 lbs of thrust for short-term quick acceleration to level out.

Maximum speed: 677 km/h (1,090 km/h | 589 kn)

Cruising speed: 510 km/h (820 km/h | 443 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +168 km/h (+270 km/h | 146 kn)

Rate of climb: 25,000 ft/min (7,620 m/min)

Weapon

Proposed: 6 x 5 inch (127 mm) high-explosive (HE) tail stabilized airborne missile, fired from the lower left of the nose assembly.