North American X-15
Specs, top speed, range and facts
The North American X-15 is a hypersonic research rocket plane built by North American in the USA. It first flew in 1959, but it never entered regular service. Explore hypersonic flight and the edge of space before spacecraft did.
Photo: North American X-15 on Wikipedia (free licence)
- Top speed7,274 km/h (4,520 mph)
- Range450 km (280 miles)
- First flight1959
- Wingspan6.8 m (22 ft)
North American X-15 specs
| Top speed | 7,274 km/h (4,520 mph) · Mach 6.85Mach 6.7, the fastest speed ever reached by a crewed, powered aircraft (1967). |
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| Range | 450 km (280 miles) |
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| Length | 15.5 m (51 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 6.8 m (22 ft) |
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| Height | 4.1 m (14 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 15 t (33,951 lb) |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot |
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| Engines | 1 × XLR99 rocket |
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| First flight | 1959 |
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| Entered service | Never entered regular service |
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| Built by | North American (USA) |
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North American X-15 facts
- It holds the speed record for a crewed powered aircraft: Mach 6.7.
- It was dropped from under a B-52 before lighting its rocket engine.
Quick quiz
When did the North American X-15 first fly?
In 1959.
Who built the North American X-15?
North American, in the USA.
How fast can the North American X-15 fly?
Its top speed is 7,274 km/h (4,520 mph) · Mach 6.85.
How far can the North American X-15 fly?
About 450 km (280 miles).
Photos, a true-scale silhouette, quizzes, flashcards, the Size Lab and the Sky Run game.
North American X-15 vs similar aircraft
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