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The North American Aviation XF-108 Rapier was intended to be a long-range Mach 3 air defense interceptor that relied on some of the technologies North American developed for the XB-70 Valkyrie experimental bomber. The F-108 was fitted with a cranked arrow delta wing and was to be powered by two General Electric J93 30,000 pounds force (133 kN) turbojet engines (six of which were used on the XB-70). Crew was two, seated in tandem. Some sources say that the aircraft was to have an all missile armament with AIM-47 Falcon missiles carried internally. Other sources say that the armament was to consist of four 20 mm cannon, 108 2.75 inch (70 mm) folding fin rockets, and 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of bombs. The all-missile armament seems more consistent with USAF thinking at the time. The McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom was originally completed with all-missile armament. Later combat experience in Vietnam led to the addition of the General Electric 20 mm Vulcan cannon to the F-4. A full scale mockup of the F-108 Rapier was completed, but the program was cancelled in September, 1959.
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