The Douglas Skyrocket

The Navy Skyrocket high-speed research plane

The Skyrocket just moments after being dropped by a B-29 mothership

The Douglas D558-2 Skyrocket

• Role: Experimental high-speed research aircraft
• Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company
• First flight: 4 February 1948
• Primary user: U.S. Navy
• Number built: 3
• Developed from: D-558-1 Skystreak (straightwing)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 42 ft 0 in (12.8 m)
• Wingspan: 25 ft 0 in (7.6 m)
• Height: 22 ft 8 in (3.8 m)
• Wing area: 175 ft² (16.2 m²)
• Empty weight: 9,421 lb (4,273 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 15,266 lb (6,923 kg)
• Powerplant:
  • 1× Westinghouse J34-WE-40 turbojet, 3,000 lbf (13 kN)
  • 1× Reaction Motors XLR-8-RM-5 rocket engine, 6,000 lbf (27 kN)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 720 mph, 1,250 mph when air-launched (1,160 km/h, 2,010 km/h when air-launched)
• Stall speed: 160.1 mph (257.7 km/h)
• Service ceiling: 16,500 ft (5,030 m)
• Rate of climb: 22,400 ft/min, 11,100 ft/min under rocket power only (6,830 m/min., 3,380 m/min under rocket power only)
• Wing loading: 87.2 lb/ft² (426 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight (jet): 0.39