In 1959 the U.S.Navy commissioned Bendix and Grumman to develop
new air-to-air AAM-N-10 Eagle missiles, which had to be capable of
traveling at a speed of Mach 4 to hit a flying target 100mi (161km) away.
Since the Navy needed a launching platform for these new warheads,
the American aviation industry was asked to submit proposals for an
aircraft which could loiter for several hours near the aircraft it had to
protect, ready to fire its Eagle interceptor missiles as soon as the enemy
was sighted on the radar screen. In 1961 Douglas’ project was chosen
with an order for two prototypes. The new plane’ lines were reminiscent
of the F3D Skyknight and was known as the F6D Missileer: a very
large airplane to be flown by a crew of three, capable of carrying from
six to eight Eagle missiles and launching them at an unfriendly target.
The prototype had yet to start to take shape when the U.S.Navy decided
to drop the project in favor of exploring the feasibility of using the
General Dynamics F-111B (q.v.) under pressure from the Defense
Secretary of the time, Robert McNamara.
Technical data
XF6D-1 - Type: Carrier-based, long range fighter (project)
Crew: 3 - First order: 2 - Order date: 7/21/1961.
Power plant: 2xPratt & Whitney TF-30-P2 turbofan, 10,0001b s.t. (4,536kg).
Max wingspan: 70ft (21.33m) - Wing area: 630sq ft (58.52m) - Length: 53ft (16.15m)
- Height: 18ft 1in (5.51m) - Gross weight: 50,000lb (22,680kg) - Max T.O. weight:
60,000lb (27,216kg) - Max speed: 546mph (879km/h). (Project data).