Name: XF-108: The Rapier
Uploaded: 2016-01-01
Duration: 29 min 2 s
Description: To American military planners, the promise of intercepting Russian bombers far before they reached the American heartland was simply too appealing to ignore. The long-range Mach 3 "Rapier" was born, and as one of the missing Century Series fighters, the XF-108 interceptor had great promise.

To American military planners, the promise of intercepting Russian bombers far before they reached the American heartland was simply too appealing to ignore. The long-range Mach 3 "Rapier" was born, and as one of the missing Century Series fighters, the XF-108 interceptor had great promise.

Explore the rise of the XF-108, a long-range interceptor conceived to stop Soviet bombers far from North America. Through its ambitious design, advanced radar and missile systems, and mounting costs, the film reveals why this promising Century Series fighter never flew. Sign up to see how one unbuilt aircraft still shaped later aviation technology.

Inside the canceled Mach 3 interceptor built to outrun a nuclear age.

XF-108: The Rapier

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Inside the canceled Mach 3 interceptor built to outrun a nuclear age.

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Inside the canceled Mach 3 interceptor built to outrun a nuclear age.

Love XF-108: The Rapier? It’s just the start.

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Pick the plan that’s right for you.

Frequently asked questions