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F-106A Delta Dart 59-0061 "B-1 Chase Program" Contract Management Division, USAF Systems Command, Palmdale, California, 1986-90
General Background
The Convair F-106 Delta Dart began as an advanced version of the F-102 but because of so many modifications and design changes it became a new aircraft with its own designation. It was designed as a missile carrying all-weather interceptor against Soviet bombers and served in this role from the 1960s until the 1980s. The F-106A as well as the F-106B two-seat trainer served with 15 fighter interceptor squadrons starting in 1959. The aircraft was rarely referred to as the Delta Dart but was commonly called the “6”.
The Aircraft
In 1986 during flight testing of the B-1B the F-106 was chosen as the official chase aircraft. Eight F-106's were used in this role between October 10, 1986 and July 6, 1990. One of the chosen aircraft was 59-0061 manufactured by Convair in March 1960. On February 4, 1987 59-0061 joined the B-1B Chase Program and on July 6, 1990 was the last to leave the program. The aircraft was converted to a QF-106A drone S/N AD156 and was shot down by an AIM-9 missile on September 3, 1993.
Specifications :
Crew: | 1 x Pilot |
Dimensions | |
Length : | 70.7 ft (21.55 m) |
Wingspan : | 38.25 ft (11.67 m) |
Height : | 20.28 ft (6.18 m) |
Weight | |
Empty : | 24,420 lb (11,077 kg) |
Loaded : | 34,510 lb (15,670 kg) |
Performance: | |
Powerplant : | 1 x Pratt & Whitney J75-17 afterburning turbojet producing 24,500 lbf (109kN) |
Maximum Speed : | Mach 2.3 (1,525 mph / 2,455 km/h) |
Rate Of Climb : | 29,000 ft/min (150 m/s) |
Time To Altitude : | 6.9 min to 52,700 ft (16,065 m) |
Service Ceiling : | 57,000 ft (17,000 m) |
Ferry Range : | 2,700 mi (2,300 nm / 4,300 km) |
Combat Range : | 1,800 mi (1,600 nm / 2,900 km) |
Armament : | 1 x 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan Gatling gun |
2 x AIM-4F Falcon | |
2 x AIM-4G Falcon | |
1 x AIR-2A Genie nuclear rocket |