HomeVisitMuseum ExhibitsFact SheetsDisplay
Previous Stories
Previous Story

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger

Published May 29, 2015

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 11

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 11

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A cockpit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (Photo courtesy of John Rossino, Lockheed Martin Code One)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A cockpit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (Photo courtesy of John Rossino, Lockheed Martin Code One)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 7 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 8 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 9 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 10 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 11 of 11

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

PRINT | E-MAIL
The primary mission of the F-102 was to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. It was the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the USAF's first operational delta-wing aircraft. The F-102 made its initial flight on Oct. 24, 1953, and became operational with the Air Defense Command in 1956. At the peak of deployment in the late 1950s, F-102s equipped more than 25 ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,000 F-102s, 889 of which were F-102As. The USAF also bought 111 TF-102As as combat trainers with side-by-side seating.

In a wartime situation, after electronic equipment on board the F-102 had located the enemy aircraft, the F-102's radar would guide it into position for attack. At the proper moment, the electronic fire control system would automatically fire the F-102's air-to-air rockets and missiles.

The F-102A on display served the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in Iceland. On various occasions, it encountered Soviet aircraft flying reconnaissance missions over the arctic (see photo). It was flown to the museum in 1971.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: 24 unguided 2.75-in. rockets and six guided missiles
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J57 of 16,000 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Maximum speed: 810 mph
Cruising speed: 600 mph
Range: 1,000 miles
Ceiling: 55,000 ft.
Span: 38 ft. 1 in.
Length: 68 ft. 4 in. (including boom)
Height: 21 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 31,559 lbs. maximum
Serial number: 56-1416

Click here to return to the Cold War Gallery.

 

Find Out More
Line
Related Fact Sheets
Pratt & Whitney J57 Turbojet Engine
Line
360-degree Virtual Tour
View the F-102A on Display
Line
Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.

Featured Links

Plan Your Visit
E-newsletter Sign-up
Explore Museum Exhibits
Browse Photos
Visit Press Room
Become a Volunteer
Air Force Museum Foundation