The Man Who Built the Blackbird: Kelly Johnson & The Skunk Works Revolution

[Dronescapes]

The Man Who Built the Blackbird: Kelly Johnson & The Skunk Works Revolution

View: https://youtu.be/jkJ3dwAHnhQ

 

[MIflyer]

I recall reading that Kelly Johnson had suggested a fighter based on the X-15, but designed to operate like a normal fighter aircraft. I've never seen any details on it. And I wonder why he would use the X-15, an NAA product, for inspiration.

 

[Gnomey]

Good one!

 

[SaparotRob]

I recall reading that Kelly Johnson had suggested a fighter based on the X-15, but designed to operate like a normal fighter aircraft. I've never seen any details on it. And I wonder why he would use the X-15, an NAA product, for inspiration.

I always thought that the SR-71 had a touch of X-15 design queues.
I guess form follows function. I don't know what Lockheed else was working on at the time. The X-15 was operating in a similar flight regimen* that a multi-mach fighter would have.

*See, I know an aviation term and got to use it!