The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was designed to be an interceptor aircraft and act as the core
of USAF air defenses in the late 1950s. The F-102 first appeared in service in 1956 with the task
to intercept Soviet bombers. The official name for the F-102 was “Delta Dagger” but the most
common term used was “Deuce”. There was 889 F-102As manufactured when production ended
in September 1958.

From 1950 until August 1954 the 526th TIS was known as the 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron.
In 1954, along with the re-designation the 526th FIS mission also changed to air defense of
central Europe flying the all-weather, rocket carrying F-86D Sabres. In 1960 the 526th FIS was
reassigned to the 86th Air Division at Ramstein AB and equipped with the F-102 which they flew
until 1968. F-102 was originally delivered to the 27th FIS in 1962 and was converted to a drone
and shot down in 1979.

Specifications Convair (F-102A) Delta Dagger “Deuce”

Role - Supersonic All-Weather, delta wing interceptor

Crew – 1 pilot

Number Produced – 889

Dimensions
Length – 68 ft 4 in   (20.83 m)
Wingspan – 38 ft 1 in   (11.61 m)
Height – 21 ft 2 in   (6.45 m)

Weight
Empty – 19,350 lb   8,777 kg)
Loaded – 24,500 lb   (11,100 kg)
Maximum Takeoff – 31,500 lb   (14,300 kg)

Powerplant – 1 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-25 afterburning turbojet
Thrust
Dry – 11,700 lbf   (8,777 kg)
With Afterburner – 17,200 lbf   (76.5 kN)
Fuel
Internal – 1.085 US gal   (4,107 l)
External – 2 x 215 US gal   (815 l) drop tanks

Performance
Maximum Speed – Mach 1.25 (825 mph, 1,304 km/h) @ 40,000 ft   (12,190 m)
Service Ceiling – 53,400 ft   (16,300 m)
ROC – 13,000 ft/min   (66 m/s)
Range – 1,350 nm   (2,175 km)

Armament
Rockets – 24 x 2.75 in   (70 mm) FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket) unguided rockets in missile
bay doors
Missiles
AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air
AIM-26 Falcon with conventional or nuclear warhead
Missiles were contained in 3 bays inside the aircraft belly

Avionics – MG-10 fire control system designed by Hughes Aircraft Company

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