North American NA-335 explained

NA-335
Aircraft Role:Air superiority fighter
National Origin:United States
Number Built:0
Outcome:Cancelled in favor of the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

The North American NA-335 was North American Aviation's entry into the US Air Force's 1960s-1970s F-X program, which would later result in the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle.

The NA-335 resembles the T-10/Su-27, however the NA-335 lacked the gap between the engine nacelles, and only a single vertical fin.[1]

Background

The "F-X" program dates back to 1964, when the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark first flown, visualized to complement or replace the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II fighter-bombers. As air-to-air combat intensified in the Vietnam War, the United States Air Force required a new air superiority fighter.[2]

References

  1. Web site: 2016-03-16 . The F-15 that never was: The North American NA-335 . 2024-01-03 . Hush-Kit . en.
  2. Web site: Neufield . Jacob . November 1974 . The F-15 Eagle: Origins and Development, 1964-1972 . 22 August 2024 . Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) . iii.