The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was an American military all-weather interceptor developed from the F-102 line. Extensive changes justified a new designation rather than the originally intended F-102B name. The aircraft combined a delta wing, a more powerful engine and an integrated interception system.[1]Convair F-106A Delta DartNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Design and service entry
The F-106 first flew on 26 December 1956, and deliveries began in July 1959. Production comprised 277 single-seat F-106As and 63 two-seat F-106Bs. The Pratt & Whitney J75 engine and revised airframe gave it substantially greater performance than its predecessor.[1]Convair F-106A Delta DartNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Automated interception
The MA-1 fire-control system could control much of an interception, including guiding the aircraft towards its target, launching weapons and beginning the return. The pilot remained responsible for take-off and landing. Falcon missiles and the Genie nuclear air-to-air rocket formed the principal interception armament.[1]Convair F-106A Delta DartNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
The museum's F-106A became famous for an unusual survival. After its pilot ejected from a flat spin over Montana in February 1970, the aircraft recovered to level flight and landed on its belly in a field. It was recovered, repaired and returned to service before eventual preservation.[1]Convair F-106A Delta DartNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Supersonic propulsion research
NASA Lewis acquired an F-106B in October 1966 to test inlet and nozzle concepts relevant to a proposed supersonic transport. Technicians removed weapons equipment, added fuel capacity and mounted two General Electric J85 engines beneath the wings. The aircraft continued to fly on its own J75 while the smaller engines served as test equipment.[2]Lewis Acquired F-106B for Supersonic Transport Research in the 1960sNASA · nasa.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
A standard J85 and a modified example could be compared under the same flight conditions, with the rear-seat operator managing the test engines. Research flights began in June 1968 and examined several nozzles and inlets. NASA transferred the aircraft to Langley in 1979 for further research, and it retired in 1991.[2]Lewis Acquired F-106B for Supersonic Transport Research in the 1960sNASA · nasa.gov · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details