Bell manufactured two airframes. They flew a total of 17 flights between 1954-1956. This was a joint program with the Air Force, although the NACA never flew the swept-wing, rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly Mach 3. The NACA supported the Air Force with advice and data analysis.
Bell manufactured two airframes. They flew a total of 17 flights between 1954-1956. This was a joint program with the Air Force, although the NACA never flew the swept-wing, rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly Mach 3. The NACA supported the Air Force with advice and data analysis. The X-2 did become the first aircraft to reach Mach 3, recording a Mach 3.2 speed on its last flight, which destroyed the aircraft and killed the Air Force pilot because of inertial coupling. It collected data on aerodynamic heating and stability and control effectiveness at high speeds and altitudes. The X-2 was also the first aircraft to fly higher than 100,000 feet on Sept. 7, 1956, when it reached 126,200 feet 20 days before the aircraft reached Mach 3.2.