English Electric P.10

The English Electric P.10 was a high-altitude Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft concept that was intended to recon targets before and after missions on behalf of the V-Bomber force.

English Electric P.10 model at the RAF Museum, Cosford

Description

It was to have extremely advanced aerodynamic composition with a blown wing that would be used for both lift and propulsion: two turbojets installed in the wing roots for take-off/landing and to attain a speed where a bank of ramjets, fed by air intakes in the leading edge of the wings would ignite and then be the primary propulsion for the duration of its mission. It would use two installed sideways-looking radar devices and a high-specification camera.

Fate

Although regarded as very impressive, it was regarded as too ambitious and lost out to the Avro 730 for intended production, in-turn was also cancelled when the infamous 1957 Defence white paper saw no future for combat aircraft since all future wars were deemed would be fought by guided missiles.

See also

• Operational Requirement F.155
• Rainbow Codes
• Avro 730