Convair F-106 Delta Dart

The article discusses the Convair F-106 Delta Dart, highlighting its significance as a technological marvel developed during the Cold War by the United States to counter Soviet bombers. The F-106 served as the height and eventual end of an era of dedicated interceptors, transitioning to multi-role fighters. Throughout the 1960s, the emphasis on building combat interceptors like the F-106 marked the pinnacle of aircraft design specialized in engaging high-speed, long-range enemy bombers.

The article elaborates on various aspects of the F-106's operational history, including its lack of combat history, the integration with the SAGE defense system, and advancements over its predecessor, the F-102 Delta Dagger. Despite its initial promising design and capabilities—reaching speeds of Mach 2.3 due to an improved engine—flight testing revealed its marginal performance advantage. While never seeing combat, the F-106 was an integral part of air defense until the 1980s with some units even modified to carry armament like the M61 Vulcan cannon.

The F-106's story ends with its conversion to target drones used for practice before phasing out entirely. These aircraft now stand as museum exhibits, including a notable piece, "The Cornfield Bomber," which landed on its own in a snow-covered field after its pilot ejected. To explore more about the intricacies of the Convair F-106 Delta Dart, delve into the original article: Convair F-106 Delta Dart - The Armory Life.