Bell X-9
The Bell X-9 was the prototype of a liquid fuel propelled surface-to-air guided missile . It served as a test environment for the GAM-63 Rascal nuclear missile.
28 X-9 missiles were produced and shot down between April 1949 and January 1953. The program was used to collect aerodynamic and structural information and to test new control and drive systems. None of the missiles fired survived the test flights. The only fragment that survived the tests is on display today at the Larry Bell Museum in Mentone , Indiana .
General data
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Years of construction | 1949-1953 |
| Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft Corporation |
| span | 2.4 m |
| length | 6.9 m |
| diameter | 0.56 m |
| Wing area | 6.5 m² |
| payload | 624 kg |
| Takeoff weight | 1588 kg |
| Top speed | Do 2 |
| Service ceiling | 19,800 m |
| Range | 80 km |
| Engines | Bell XLR65-BA-1 |
Web links
Commons : Bell X-9 - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Individual evidence
- ↑ Description on history.nasa.gov p. 15. (PDF; 1.2 MB) Retrieved on January 14, 2013 .