Aircraft Specifications

Engines(s)

• One (1) Reaction Motors XLR-99, "throttable" 60,000-pound liquid-fuel turborocket engine

• Two (2) Thiokol "Castor 1", 45,000-pound solid rocket boosters (on fictitious delta wing model only)

Airplane Dimensions

The overall dimensions of the X-15A-2 airplane (in-flight configuration, external drop tanks attached, with gear up and ventral retained) were as follows:

• Length (with ball nose and XLR-99 engine): 51 feet, 11 inches
  
  
• Span: 22 feet, 4 inches
  
  
• Height: 13 feet, 1 inch

Airplane Gross Weight

The approximate launch gross weight of the airplane (including full internal load, drop tanks and pilot) was approximately 51,600 pounds. However, this could vary a few hundred pounds, depending on the type of instrumentation carried.

Launched with drop tanks:

• Launch: 51,600 lbs.
  
  
• Burnout (drop tanks off): 16,500 lbs.
  
  
• Landing (drop tanks off): 15,500 lbs.

Launched without drop tanks:

• Launch: 32,250 lbs.
  
  
• Burnout: 16,200 lbs.
  
  
• Landing: 15,500 lbs.

Launched with solid rocket boosters (on fictitious delta wing model only):

• Launch: 46,840 lbs.
  
  
• Burnout (boosters off): 16,600 lbs.
  
  
• Landing (boosters off): 15,800 lbs.

Airplane Serial Numbers

• The U.S. Air Force serial number for the X-15A-2 airplane covered by this manual is AF56-6671.

• The U.S. Air Force serial number for the fictitious black X-15AD-4 airplane (with delta wing) covered by this manual is AF68-18601.

• The NASA serial number for the fictitious white X-15AD-4 airplane (with delta wing) covered by this manual is N203NSX.

See also:

Aircraft Reference Information (X-15A-2)

Aircraft Reference Information (X-15AD-4)