List of Rocket Aircraft - Air Launched

Air Launched

Aircraft that are dropped from a mothership, usually at altitude. All are manned unless noted otherwise.

Year Country of origin Name of Aircraft Notes
1944 Germany Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg manned V-1 Flying Bomb dropped from Heinkel He 111 or rail launched
1945 Japan Ohka air-launched kamikaze aircraft
1947 United States Bell X-1 first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight (Also conventional take off on one occasion)
1953 United States Douglas D-588-II Skyrocket supersonic research aircraft
1955 United States Bell X-2 supersonic research aircraft
1959 United States North American X-15 hypersonic research aircraft
1969 United States Martin Marietta X-24A re-entry/lifting body research aircraft
1973 United States Martin Marietta X-24B re-entry/lifting body research aircraft

Read more about this topic:  List Of Rocket Aircraft

Famous quotes containing the words air and/or launched:

    I recently learned something quite interesting about video games. Many young people have developed incredible hand, eye, and brain coordination in playing these games. The air force believes these kids will be our outstanding pilots should they fly our jets.
    Ronald Reagan (b. 1911)

    We’re designing a new spacecraft to be launched and there are no women. Where are they? I wonder. I worry.
    Andrea Dupree (b. 1939)