Қысқа мерзімді әскери барлау ұшағы Bell X-16

Experimental high altitude aerial reconnaissance jet aircraft

The Bell X 16 was a high altitude aerial reconnaissance jet aircraft designed in the United States in the 1950s. The designation of X 16 was a cover to try to hide the true nature of the aircraft mission from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

During the second half of 1953, Fairchild, Bell, and Martin Aircraft conducted high altitude reconnaissance aircraft design studies for the United States Air Force under project MX 2147. All three designs used Pratt & Whitney J57 19 turbojets. The Bell and Martin (B 57D) designs were chosen for further development. The Bell Model 67 design was designated the X 16. A full scale mock up was completed and one aircraft was partially completed. It was designed as a high altitude long range reconnaissance aircraft. The X 16 design was breaking new ground with its design. Its wing was long 114 feet (35 m) with a high (11.9) aspect ratio. The structure was significantly lighter and more flexible than usual for jet aircraft wings. The entire aircraft was made as light as possible to achieve its intended 3,000 mile unrefueled range at 69,500 feet (21184 m). A total of 28 aircraft were ordered, but none were completed. The first X 16 was about 80 percent complete when the program was cancelled by the Air Force in favor of the Martin RB 57 in 1956. Although no X 16 was ever completed, it made contributions to aircraft design with its lightweight design. It was also a driving force behind the development of the high altitude versions of the J57 that would later power the Lockheed U 2 and other aircraft.