Republic F-105 Thunderchief
Summary
| Category | Combat aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| First flight | 22 October 1955 |
| Year of introduction | 1958 |
| Number produced | 833 units |
| Average unit price | $2.7 million |
Description
The F-105 was one of the first supersonic fighter-bombers and one of the largest single-seat fighters ever built.
Originally designed in the 1950s as a low-altitude nuclear attack aircraft, it was eventually used for other tasks. Built around a large engine and an internal bomb bay, its development was long and plagued with numerous issues. The F-105 Thunderchief was a complex aircraft, equipped with unreliable electronic and hydraulic systems that required frequent and costly maintenance.
However, it proved to be effective on missions and was extensively used in Vietnam, particularly for supersonic bombing runs, where it would penetrate anti-aircraft defenses. But out of the 610 F-105Ds built, half were shot down. The two-seat versions, F-105F and F-105G, were later used for "Wild Weasel" missions.
Approximately 900 Thunderchiefs were manufactured.
Technical specifications
| Version: F-105D | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot |
| Operational range | 1250 km (777 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 2208 km/h (1372 mph) |
| Wing area | 35.8 m² (384.9 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 10.7 m (34.9 ft) |
| Height | 6.0 m (19.7 ft) |
| Length | 19.6 m (64.4 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 14783 m (48501 ft) |
| Empty weight | 12470 kg (27492 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 23834 kg (52545 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 195.0 m/s (639.8 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 1 × turbojet Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W delivering 7798 kgp, up to 12029 kgp with afterburner |
| Ejection seat | Republic F-105 |
Current operating countries
No country is operating the F-105 Thunderchief in 2024.
All operators
Armament
Missiles payload:
- Air-to-Surface AGM-12 Bullpup
- Air-to-Air Short-Range Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder
Bombs payload:
- Thermonuclear B28 (脡U : Mk 28)
Photo of F-105 Thunderchief
