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F-102 Delta Dagger
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Photo:
Robert Deering 10/18/2012 National Museum of the USAF Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO) Dayton, Ohio |
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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. |
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