The Lockheed X-7 (dubbed the "Flying Stove Pipe") was an unmanned test bed for ramjet engines and missile guidance technology. It was carried aloft by a B-29 or B-50 Superfortress carrier aircraft. The booster ignited after launch and propelled the vehicle to a speed of 1,000 mph (1,625 km/h). The booster was then jettisoned, and the underslung ramjet took over from that point. The X-7 eventually returned to Earth, its descent slowed by parachute. A maximum speed of 2,000 mph (3,250 km/h) was attained, setting a record for fastest air-breathing aircraft. A total of 130 X-7 flights were conducted from April 1951 to July 1960.

Specifications (X-7A-1)

General Characteristics

• Crew: none
• Length: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
• Wingspan: 12 ft (3.66 m)
• Height: 7 ft in (2.1 m)
• Wing area: ft² ( m²)
• Empty: lb ( kg)
• Loaded: 8,000 lb (3,600 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant:
  • Booster: Alleghany Ballistics Laboratories X202 -C3 solid-fuel rocket, 105,000 lbf (467 kN) thrust
  • Sustainer: various ramjets under test

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 4.31 (2,881 mph, 4,610 km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Maximum height: 106,000 ft (32,317 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Thrust/Weight:

Related content

Related development: Q-5 Kingfisher

Comparable aircraft: Bomarc

Designation sequence: X-4 - X-5 - X-6 - X-7 - X-8 - X-9 - X-10