Rocket Engines, Liquid Fuel, Dual XLR-11 (X-15 Interim Engine Pair)

Object Details

Summary: This is the so-called Interim Engine of the X-15 rocket research aircraft and is made up of two joined XLR-11 rocket engines. The XLR-11 was the standard engine for the earlier Bell X-1 and other rocket research aircraft. The Interim powerplant was used in the X-15 from 1959-1961 due to developmental delays of that aircraft's newer and more powerful XLR-99 Pioneer rocket engine. The Interim engines achieved the X-15's first 29 powered flights. The Interim engine produced a total of 16,400 pounds from its four chambers and was sufficient for the preliminary test flights of the X-15. It achieved some notable records in that phase of the X-15 program. This Interim Engine was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1963 from the U.S. Air Force.

ca. 1959-1961

Materials: Mainly stainless steel, some titanium, some copper alloy tubing; pump housing, cast aluminum; insulated electrical wiring.
Dimensions: Length, 82 inches; width, 42 inches; height, 48 inches; length, thrust cylinders (8), 21.75 inches each; diameter, cylinders (8), 6 inches each; weight, approximately 500 pounds (empty weight of each XLR-11 is 210 pounds).

National Air and Space Museum

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9b7e16d7e-8f31-419d-8fe0-37157275b184