Supersonic Delta Wing

After years of experiment, the U.S. Air Force has a supersonic, delta-wing aircraft in production. It is the F-102 interceptor, made by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp. Its engine is a Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet. The F-102 has a vertical fin with a conventional rudder, but it has no horizontal tail surfaces. The trailing edges of the triangular wings carry "elevens" that do double service as ailerons and "flippers" (elevator controls).

Last week the Air Force released pictures of its fighter, but gave no performance data. But the F-102 has been her alded as the next step in fast, high-altitude interceptors. Airwise rumor is that it is genuinely supersonic, i.e., flies above the speed of sound in level flight. It is packed with educated electronics. In combat, the airplane will probably do most of its own thinking, the pilot sitting passively while radars and other gadgets locate their prey, aim and fire the guns or other armament. Then he will return the spent airplane to its base.

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