Posted on Oct 9, 2023
Meet the XF-108 Rapier: The Mach 3 Plane Designed to Kill Russia's Bombers
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It was the height of the Cold War in the 1950s, and a vital part of the Soviet Union’s nuclear triad was large bombers that could deliver an astonishing nuclear payload to North America. The U.S. Air Force wanted an ultra-fast fighter to keep the supersonic Soviet strategic bombers from reaching the country. It settled on the XF-108 Rapier. The Air Force eventually passed on this powerful airplane because of the high costs and warfare had evolved away from airplane delivery of nuclear devices.
Meet the XF-108 Rapier: The Mach 3 Plane Designed to Kill Russia's Bombers
Posted from 19fortyfive.com
Cold War
Flying
Posted 7 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."A VICTIM OF SMALLER BUDGETS
However, the technological advances needed to integrate all of the systems into one airplane were not possible then. This would cost serious money, and the Eisenhower administration saw defense as a place to make budget cuts and rely more on intercontinental ballistic missiles for the nuclear fight. Eisenhower balked because the Air Force’s request to buy 480 XF-108s would have set the branch back $4 billion ($33 billion in today’s dollars)."...
..."A VICTIM OF SMALLER BUDGETS
However, the technological advances needed to integrate all of the systems into one airplane were not possible then. This would cost serious money, and the Eisenhower administration saw defense as a place to make budget cuts and rely more on intercontinental ballistic missiles for the nuclear fight. Eisenhower balked because the Air Force’s request to buy 480 XF-108s would have set the branch back $4 billion ($33 billion in today’s dollars)."...
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