Aerfer Sagittario 2

Aerfer

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Italy

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The Aerfer Sagittario 2—named after the Italian word for sagittarius—was a lightweight, all-metal, single-seat fighter prototype constructed in Italy by Aerfer. Designed to fulfill roles as an interceptor or light tactical support platform, it achieved its maiden flight in 1956. Notably, the Sagittario 2 was the first Italian-designed aircraft to surpass the sound barrier in controlled flight, reaching Mach 1.1 during a dive from an altitude of 13,725 m (45,000 ft).

Design and development

Derived from the earlier Sagittario, itself evolved from the piston-engine S.7 trainer operated in limited numbers by the Italian Air Force, the Sagittario 2 represented a significant advancement.

This compact, all-metal jet featured a nose-mounted jet engine, with its exhaust positioned beneath the midsection of the fuselage. The aircraft’s wings and tail surfaces were sharply swept back to enhance aerodynamic performance. The cockpit was relocated forward compared to previous models and incorporated a bubble canopy for improved visibility. A tricycle-type landing gear system was installed, with the nose wheel retracting beneath the engine compartment.

The design evolved further into the Ariete model.

Operators

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• Italian Air Force operated two units primarily for evaluation and testing purposes

Specifications (Sagittario 2)

File:30 mm HSS 825 Sagittario 2.png

Hispano-Suiza HSS 825 autocannons as installed on the Sagittario 2.

Bibliography

• The Aeroplane, December 21, 1956, p. 924
• Buttler, Tony. X-Planes of Europe II: Military Prototype Aircraft from the Golden Age 1946–1974. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications, 2015. ISBN 978-1-90210-948-0
• Giuseppe Ciampaglia, Dal SAI Ambrosini Sagittario all'AERFER Leone, January 2004, IBN editore, with English translation by Stephen Richards