C-141 towing a F-106

This is a related picture with a M2-F1 in tow behind a R4D

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Most of the questions above are answered on the link provided by Duggy

The Eclipse Project Pilot by Robert “Buzz” J. Sawyer

The pilot for this project was an ex-Marine test pilot named Mark Stucky, who was then (and still is, as far as I know) a NASA test pilot. He was my last F-106 student in August-September 1996. Seems the “six” was very similar in plan-form to the proposed space craft. The ultimate plan is to tow a spacecraft off the ground with a jumbo jet, such as a 747, tow it to altitude where it would be through most of the Earth’s atmosphere, where they would “light up” the spacecraft’s engine(s) as it was released from the tether. That way it would save fuel (and weight), and be more economical than using booster rockets. After attaining orbit, the payloads would be dispensed, and it the “Eclipse” spacecraft would fly back to Earth.

He took off with a minimum amount of fuel (for reduced weight) with the speed brakes open and left the landing gear down (limit speed is 285 KCAS). This simulated the drag characteristics of “Eclipse” compared to the C-141 tow ship. The engine was left at idle to provide hydraulic power for the flight controls (and in case he needed to cut free and fly on his own) After being towed to somewhere around 20,000′, they would cut him free, and he would return to Edwards for a normal landing. He said that on his last sortie he had them cut him free right over Edwards, where he flew a simulated flame-out landing (SFO)–having flown an entire sortie or about 50 minutes without ever moving the throttle out of idle!

Moggy

Unfortunately It never got beyond the concept stage.
The target was described to me as being a wooden glider the size of a Phantom. The chap pushing the concept knew sleeve targets and similar had been snatched off the ground but this target was all together larger nad didn’t think the technique could work with such a large target. My finding of the Dakota snatching the Horsa report was a revelation as the Horsa was at 18000 lb AUW far heavier than any sleeve or dart target.

It reminds me of a project I was involved with almost 20 years ago to produce an ‘environmentally friendly’ fullsized target aircraft:

What did it look like?

… and why are the airbrakes open on take-off?

Only speculating here but could it possibly be to keep some additional drag on the tow line to keep it taught? Kind of like riding the brakes a bit when towing a car, particularly when just getting started.

Is the 106 manned? and why are the airbrakes open on take-off?
It reminds me of a project I was involved with almost 20 years ago to produce an ‘environmentally friendly’ fullsized target aircraft that could be towed to height by a Hercules and then cast off to get shot down or crash without polluting the environment with fuel/oil/heavy metals.
The problem we had was how to stop the target on the runway during an aborted take off and how could you use the Herc without modification. My solution was backed up with a report showing that it had all been done before. We could re-invent the glider snatch launch and the report I used as supporting evidence was the AFEE report on the snatch launching of the Horsa using a Dakota. The Hercules didn’t need modifying (the winch and hook just attached to the cargo floor) and the target didn’t really need a runway as it could be snatched off the ground at the range.
I’m still a bit miffed that the project didn’t get off the ground. :rolleyes:

This link explains – http://www.f-106deltadart.com/eclipse.htm

Regards Duggy ( and its safe)

Perhaps a test for some concept of defence if transports have to go into contested airspace? IIRC the B-36 was tested with ‘parasite’ fighters.

Regards

Sorry, stupidly trying to come up with something about low mileage jet fighters but then realises that a chunk like that is not going to help the aerodynamics. Would it have put stress on the airframe as well?

http://www.techbriefs.nl/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=/Briefs/July98/DRC9833.html found with a very quick google…..

WATCH OUT! As NewForest has already stated the address above (link deliberately altered to “.nl” so it does not work …) is NOT safe if your Antivirus Software is not up-to-date!

A shame really, since there is not much wrong with the text… 🙁

Some better photo’s courtesy of the USAF.

Make sure your protection is working if you try the above link as Norton gives a malware warning!!

http://www.techbriefs.com/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=/Briefs/July98/DRC9833.html found with a very quick google…..