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Curtiss-Wright XP-87 / XF-87 Blackhawk

1948 COLD WAR X-PLANE

History of the Curtis-Wright XP-87/XF-87 Blackhawk

The XF-87 was a failed proposal from the Curtiss-Wright Office of Aircraft Design to meet the Air Force's requirements for the world's first two-crew, purpose-built jet-powered radar interceptor. The system was developed in prototype form and ordered for production, but was immediately cancelled and replaced by a competing Northrop design for the F-89 Scorpion.

The cancellation of the XF-87 effectively marked the end of Curtis-Wright's role as a significant player in the military aircraft market and became the last airworthy aircraft in the aircraft division.

Curtiss-Wright is already a well-known name in military aviation, responsible for the design of memorable aircraft such as the Curtiss Jenny and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. Since the XA-43 attack platform version has been partially developed, the XP-87/XF-87 is an evolution of the system.

According to conventional thinking, the plane was very large and had a two-a-side cockpit. Since turbojet technology was still in its infancy at this time, the XP-87 was powered by no fewer than four Westinghouse jet engines mounted near the root of the wings, each delivering up to 3,000 pounds of thrust.

Top speed is listed at about 585 mph, with a ceiling of over 40,000 feet.

The original XA-43 design, produced by the Curtiss-Wright Company, had completely different design specifications and required a single-seat, twin-engine combat platform for all-weather, high-altitude operations. As requirements changed, the XA-43 evolved into the XP-87, or more specifically the XF-87, and two prototype S/Ns were offered, the 45-59600 and 46-522.

46-522 was modified as a single XF-87A production system.

The XF-87 is fairly traditional in design, fully painted black for optimal nighttime operation. The wing is a medium-sized wing with a standard "T" tail and a tricycle landing gear system. The nose will contain a proposed 4 x 20mm battery in a remote-controlled variable-angle turret. Although promising, this weapon was never installed on the first airworthy prototype.

A second prototype, dubbed the "Black Hawk," is being considered and will feature two turbojets with improved performance instead of the four in the base XF-87 design.

Finally, the cancellation of the XP-87 meant the end of Curtis-Wright. The XP-87 actually became the company's last foray into aircraft production and had a lot to do with its success. The Nighthawk and its Blackhawk counterpart were later scrapped, ending one of the more glorious chapters in the life of one of America's founding aircraft design companies.

When the program officially ended, approximately 58 F-87A variants were ordered, along with 30 reconnaissance aircraft RF-87 variants.