North American F-108 Rapier

North American F-108 Rapier

North American F-108<br /><br />Designed as a Mach 3 high altitude interceptor during the late 1950’s, the North American F-108 was at the pinnacle of aircraft design during the period. The aircraft, like its larger stable mate, the North American XB-70 strategic bomber, was, however, ultimately doomed due to high costs and a looming redundancy due to a shifting strategic threat in the shape of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles, which were then on the cusp of taking over the mantle of strategic nuclear strike from manned bombers. <br />This volume looks at the genesis and development of the various iterations of the F-108A from the program inception to beyond its cancellation in 1959. The volume is supported by a number of photographs, technical drawings and planned performance charts.