Supermarine Type 553

The Supermarine Type 553 was a British Mach 2 research aircraft project from 1953 that never proceeded beyond the initial proposal.

Supermarine Type 553
Role	Supersonic research aircraft
Manufacturer	Supermarine
Status	abandoned
Number built	0

Design and development

The difficulty of achieving Mach 2 flight was realised during the development of the 545, which led to Vickers-Supermarine proposing the 553 with a swept wing that would reduce aerodynamic drag. It was to have been built using aluminium alloy which limited the top speed, and the Air Ministry wanted a twin engine design in which alternative engines could readily be installed, and 553 development was abandoned. Lack of endurance was also cited as a problem. The Bristol 188 was developed instead.

Specifications (Supermarine Type 553)

Data from Buttler, 2000, p.77 & 79

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 58.0 ft (17.7 m)
• Wingspan: 30.8 ft (9.4 m)
• Wing area: 330 sq ft (31 m²)
• Gross weight: 27,000 lb (12,247 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 780 imp gal (3,546 L; 937 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce RB.106R jet engine, 15,000 lbf (67 kN) thrust dry, 22,600 lbf (101 kN) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,523 mph (2,451 km/h, 1,323 kn) or Mach 2.3, @ 36,100 feet, Mach 1.22 at sea level.
• Rate of climb: 53,000 ft/min (270 m/s) initial
• Wing loading: 81.8 lb/sq ft (399 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.56 to 0.84 (w. afterburner/reheat)

Armament
None

See also

Related lists

• List of experimental aircraft

References

Bibliography

• Buttler, Tony (2000). British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters Since 1950. Leicester, England: Midland. pp. 77 & 79. ISBN 978-1857800951.