Talyn
SAINT
The McDonnell XF-85 “Goblin,” truly a testament to the fact that given enough money and time, the Air Force will try out just about any idea.
taskandpurpose.com
Test pilot Edwin Schoch stands next to the XF-85 Goblin in 1948. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Goblin arose as a very complicated solution for a fairly simple problem. In 1945, the Army Air Corps was developing the B-36 as a strategic bomber that could reach even the most distant targets. In contrast to the Goblin, the B-36 was one of the largest aircraft ever built. It could carry 86,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional ordnance and had a range of 10,000 miles. This also meant that it would far outpace any fighter escorts. Enter the Goblin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_XF-85_Goblin
An illustration depicting the launch of the XF-85 Goblin from its mothership aircraft. Docking, however, was another
matter. (Aaron Provost/Task & Purpose)
The Goblin measured just 15 feet in length, and with the wings folded up for transport was only five feet wide, making it the smallest jet fighter ever built. It was what’s known as a “parasite” aircraft and was designed to be carried by a larger bomber and then launched in the sky to protect against enemy fighters. It had no landing gear as, in theory, the Goblin would return to its parent bomber and reattach in midair.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin on display at the National Museum of the United States
Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.
But this wasn't the first time a "Parasite" aircraft was tried by the US.
airandspace.si.edu
Nor the last time...
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
Project Flytrap and the Army’s answer to drone warfare
Project Flytrap 4.0 is the Army’s low-cost answer to drone warfare with jammers, sensors, and intercept tools built for squads.
taskandpurpose.com
Test pilot Edwin Schoch stands next to the XF-85 Goblin in 1948. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Goblin arose as a very complicated solution for a fairly simple problem. In 1945, the Army Air Corps was developing the B-36 as a strategic bomber that could reach even the most distant targets. In contrast to the Goblin, the B-36 was one of the largest aircraft ever built. It could carry 86,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional ordnance and had a range of 10,000 miles. This also meant that it would far outpace any fighter escorts. Enter the Goblin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_XF-85_Goblin
An illustration depicting the launch of the XF-85 Goblin from its mothership aircraft. Docking, however, was another
matter. (Aaron Provost/Task & Purpose)
The Goblin measured just 15 feet in length, and with the wings folded up for transport was only five feet wide, making it the smallest jet fighter ever built. It was what’s known as a “parasite” aircraft and was designed to be carried by a larger bomber and then launched in the sky to protect against enemy fighters. It had no landing gear as, in theory, the Goblin would return to its parent bomber and reattach in midair.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin on display at the National Museum of the United States
Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.
But this wasn't the first time a "Parasite" aircraft was tried by the US.
How An Airship Became a Flying Aircraft Carrier
It was envisioned that an entire squadron of rigid airships could act as a scouting fleet from 15,000 feet in the air, visually covering thousands of square miles each day. If each of those airships were able to launch and retrieve their own scouting airplanes, that range could be increased...
Nor the last time...
FICON project - Wikipedia
