Supermarine Type 553
| Company type | Research aircraft project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Supermarine 545 |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Fate | Project discontinued |
Key people | Vickers-Supermarine |
| Products | Research aircraft |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2022) |
The Supermarine Type 553 was a British project initiated in 1953 aimed at developing a research aircraft capable of reaching Mach 2 speeds; however, it did not advance beyond the proposal phase.
Design and development
The challenges associated with achieving Mach 2 velocity became apparent during the progress of the 545 model, prompting Vickers-Supermarine to suggest the Type 553 featuring a swept wing design intended to minimize aerodynamic drag. Construction was planned using aluminium alloy, which inherently restricted the maximum attainable speed. The Air Ministry expressed a preference for a twin-engine configuration that would allow for straightforward substitution of engines, resulting in the discontinuation of the Type 553 project. Additionally, concerns regarding insufficient endurance were noted. Subsequently, development efforts shifted towards the Bristol 188.
Specifications (Supermarine Type 553)
See also
Citations
Bibliography
- Buttler, Tony (2000). British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters Since 1950. Leicester, England: Midland. pp. 77 & 79. ISBN 978-1857800951.