F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was a jet-powered all-weather interceptor. It has the distinction of being the first aircraft armed with nuclear weapons for air-to-air use. The F-89 was a 1945 requirement of the United States Army Air Force to replace the P-61 Black Window.
Only eight F-89As were completed before the type was upgraded to F-89B standard with new avionics. The major production model of the F-89 was the F-89D, which first flew 23 October 1951 and entered service in 1954. it removed the cannon in favor of a new Hughes E-6 fire control system with AN/APG-40 radar and an AN/APA-84 computer.
The F-89H had an E-9 fire control system as of the F-102 and massive wingtip pods. Problems with the fire control system delayed the F-89H’s entry to service. The final variant was the F-89J, based from the F-89D but replaced the standard wingtip missile pods. The F-89J became the first and only aircraft to a fire a live Genie as the John Shot of Operation Plumbbob on 19 July 1957. They served with the Air Defense Command through 1959 and with ADC-gained units of the Air National Guard through 1969. A total of 1,050 Scorpions of all variants were produced.
Specifications: F-89 Scorpion
Primary Function: fighter
Powerplant: 2 x Allison J35s turbojets of 7,200 lbs
Length: 53 ft 8 in
Wingspan: 59 ft 10 in
Height: 17 ft 6 in
Speed: 636 mph
Ceiling: 49, 200 ft
Range: 1, 367 mi
Armament: 4 x 50 caliber; 2 x AIR-2A Genie air to air rockets with nuclear warheads; 4 x AIM-4C Falcon missiles.
Filed Under History
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