The Convair F-106 Delta Dart is a supersonic all weather interceptor design, which evolved as an advanced version of the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger Interceptor. Designated as the F-102B early in  “The 1954 Interceptor” program, the Delta Dart was redesigned as the F-106A because of the increasing differences between the two aircraft programs.

 

The F-106A prototype took to the air on its maiden flight from Edwards AFB, CA on December 26, 1956.  The F-106s high speed made it the obvious choice for the USAF for its attempt at the World Absolute Speed Record in a project codenamed “Project Firewall”. On December 15, 1959 Major Joe Rogers and F-106A S/N 56-0467 flew to a record speed of 1525.95 mph, a record that stands today for a production turbojet aircraft. 

 

The F-106 entered service with the 498th FIS based at Geiger Field, WA on June 2, 1959 and served with 21 other ADC and TAC squadrons including McChord's 318th FIS which received it's first two aircraft on March 25 1960. On April 3, 1972 the Montana Air National Guard became the first of 6 ANG squadrons to be equipped with the Delta Dart after a 6 year assignment with the F-102 Delta Dagger.

 

The "brain" of the F-106 was the sophisticated Hughes MA-1 electronic and fire control system. When used in conjunction the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) defense system, the F-106 could actually be fully computer-flown during most of its mission, the pilot only needed for takeoff, landing, or in case of a malfunction with the system.  During the automated intercept, the MA-1 would take over control of the plane shortly after takeoff and guide it to the proper altitude and attack position, lock on and fire the F-106 weapons at the intruder aircraft. The pilot using his Tactical Situation Display (TSD), located just below the instrument panel, would observe this entire intercept. The TSD would use map projections and small symbols to represent the intercept mission. 

 

During its association with F-106, the 318th FIS proved to be one of the best Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons in the Air Force, this proficiency was demonstrated almost immediately after receiving their new interceptor. In 1963 the Green Dragons dominated the best F-106 squadrons in Air Defense Command and took top honors in the USAF William Tell Air to Air Weapons, a bi-annual competition held for the best interceptor squadrons in the Air Force Competition Over its F-106 assignment the squadron won the right to attend five additional William Tell competitions, a feat no other F-106 squadron can claim. The squadron's mastery in the air defense arena did not go unnoticed; in 1974 the 318th won the prestigious Hughes Achievement Trophy, an annual award presented to Air Force's Top Fighter Squadron. 

 

In 1963, the 318th and it new sister squadron the 498 FIS began the first rotational deployment of F-106 squadrons to reinforce the air defense of Alaska in a operation named "White Shoes" and in 1967 the 318th deployed nearly 400 personnel and 18 aircraft to Korea as a result of a North Korean capture of a US Navy research vessel, the USS Pueblo. In this operation codenamed Project College Cadence, the Green Dragons became the first Delta Dart squadron to deploy overseas performed using the F-106's newly installed in-flight refueling capability.

 

The beginning of the end of a 23 year association between the 318th FIS and the F-106 occurred on June 1, 1983 when the squadron sent it's first F-106 (S/N 90057) to the Military Storage and Disposition Center before converting into the F-15 Eagle. The 318th's last F-106 (S/N 90141) left McChord on November 1 1983 four years before 49th FIS based at Griffiss AFB, NY the last Active Air Force flight on July 9 1987. On August 1, 1988, New Jersey ANG flew the last frontline F-106 flight, closing the Delta Darts 29 year Air Force career. 

 

The need for a higher performance Full Scaled Aerial Target Drone was fulfilled when the USAF began withdrawing F-106’s from storage and converting the aircraft into Target Drones in 1986. During the “ Pacer Six” program 194 F-106A/B Interceptors had been converted. The newly designated QF-106’s flew their last mission on January 28, 1998.

• TYPE: All – weather supersonic Interceptor

 

• POWER: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17 with 24,500lbs thrust

• SPEED: 1,525.95 mph ( Mach 2.3 )    

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• RANGE: 1,718 miles  (with 2234 gal internal & external fuel )

 

• SERVICE CEILING: 57,000 ft

 

• WEIGHT: Empty 24,861; Combat 33,570 lbs ; Max T/O 41,831 lbs.

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• DIMENSIONS: Span 38 ft. 3 1/2 in.,  Length 70 ft 8 3/4 in., Height 20 ft 3 1/4 in. 

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• ARMAMENT: Two AIM-4F Radar Guided & Two AIM-4G Heat-Seeking Air to Air Missiles, One AIM-2 Unguided Air to Air Rocket with 1.5k Nuclear Warhead or one M61A1 20mm Vulcan Cannon Gun pod with 650 rounds.  

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• CREW: One (F-106A), two (F-106B)

 

• PRODUCTION TOTALS: 2 (YF-106A), 275 (F-106A), 63 (F-106B) 

• COST: $ 3,305,435.00 

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• SERVICE WITH THE 318th FIS: 1960 - 1983