Experimental missile to test guidance and propulsion technology
Bell X-9 on its trailer
The Bell X-9 Shrike was a prototype surface-to-air , liquid-fueled guided missile designed by Bell Aircraft as a testbed for the nuclear-armed GAM-63 RASCAL . It is named after the shrike , a family of birds.
Thirty-one X-9 rockets were delivered, flying from April 1949 to January 1953. The program was used to gather aerodynamic and stability data, and to test guidance and propulsion systems for the RASCAL.[ 1]
None of the missiles survived testing. The only known remaining fragment of an X-9 is part of a vertical stabilizer , at the Larry Bell Museum in Mentone, Indiana .[ 2]
Specifications (X-9)[ edit ]
General characteristics:
Length : 22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
Wingspan : 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m)
Diameter : 1 ft 10 in (0.56 m)
Wing area: 70 ft2 (6.5 m2 )
Weight (empty): 2,125 lb (964 kg)
Weight (loaded): 3,500 lb (1,588 kg)
Propulsion : Bell XLR65 -BA-1 liquid-fuel rocket engine, 3,000 lbf (13.3 kN) thrust
Performance:
Media related to Bell X-9 at Wikimedia Commons
Manufacturer designations Fighter aircraft Target drones Attack helicopters Observation and utility helicopters Commercial helicopters Tiltrotors UAVs Non-production helicopters Experimental aircraft Names 1 Unknown/not assigned
Supersonic/special test "S" (1946–1947) Experimental "X" (1948–present)
See also
1 Not assigned
2 Assigned to multiple types
3 Unofficial
Air-launched
Ground-launched
Surface-to-air Surface-to-surface
Test vehicles
Launch test Propulsion test Rocket test