F-107A

The North American Aviation F‑107A, often called the “Super Sabre,” was a single‑engine, supersonic fighter‑interceptor developed in the early 1950s to meet a United States Air Force requirement for a high‑performance, high‑altitude interceptor. First flown on 28 April 1954, the aircraft incorporated many advances derived from the earlier F‑86 and F‑100 designs, including a thin, swept‑wing planform, an all‑metal semi‑monocoque fuselage, and a powerful Pratt & Whitney J57‑19 turbo‑jet delivering 16,000 lb thrust with afterburner. The F‑107A’s most distinctive feature was its large, ventral fuel pod, which not only extended range but also housed a 2,000‑pound conventional bomb, granting the aircraft a limited ground‑attack capability unusual for a pure interceptor. Armament also included four 20 mm M39 cannon and provisions for air‑to‑air missiles. Although only 20 production aircraft were built before the program was cancelled in favor of more versatile fighters such as the F‑102, the F‑107 demonstrated the feasibility of combining supersonic speed, high‑altitude performance, and a modest strike role. Its aerodynamic data and systems testing contributed directly to later North American designs, cementing its place as an important transitional step in Cold‑War jet development.

North American Aviation

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification