Douglas
Douglas F5D Skylancer
The Douglas F5D Skylancer was a swept‑wing, carrier‑based fighter‑bomber developed in the early 1950s as the successor to the successful F4D Skyray. Originating from a United States Navy requirement for a high‑performance, all‑weather interceptor, the aircraft first flew on 15 August 1954 and entered service in 1956 as the Navy’s first jet with a fully powered flight‑control system. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney J57‑19 turbojet delivering 16,000 pounds of thrust, the Skylancer could exceed Mach 1.2 at sea level and featured a distinctive 45‑degree wing sweep, leading‑edge slats, and a large internal weapons bay. Its avionics suite included the APS‑33 radar and a sophisticated fire‑control computer, allowing it to carry both conventional bombs and guided missiles such as the AIM‑7 Sparrow and AIM‑9 Sidewinder. Although only 147 units were built before the program was cancelled in favor of newer supersonic designs, the F5D demonstrated the feasibility of integrating advanced fly‑by‑wire concepts and high‑speed interception capabilities on carrier decks. Its legacy lives on in subsequent Douglas and later McDonnell Douglas aircraft, influencing the design philosophy of modern naval air superiority fighters.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1956
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Douglas
- Nickname
- Skylancer
- Military Designation
- F5D
- Wikidata ID
- Q1252275