English Electric Lightning
Summary
| Category | Combat aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| First flight | 4 August 1954 |
| Year of introduction | 1960 |
| Number produced | 337 units |
| Average unit price | $2 million |
Description
The Lightning was the United Kingdom's first supersonic fighter aircraft, capable of exceeding Mach 2.
Its design was quite unusual, featuring two stacked engines, a 60° swept wing, and an air intake located in the nose of the aircraft. Despite a reduced fuel capacity, it was an aircraft without any major handling issues.
It was completely retired from British service in 1988. A total of 322 aircraft were built, with only around forty being exported.
Technical specifications
| Version: Lightning F.6 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot |
| Operational range | 1368 km (850 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 2092 km/h (1300 mph) |
| Wing area | 44.1 m² (474.5 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 10.6 m (34.8 ft) |
| Height | 6.0 m (19.6 ft) |
| Length | 16.8 m (55.1 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 16459 m (53999 ft) |
| Empty weight | 14092 kg (31068 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 20752 kg (45750 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 100.0 m/s (328.1 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbojets Rolls-Royce Avon 301R delivering 5684 kgp, up to 7257 kgp with afterburner |
| Ejection seat | Martin-Baker Mk 4 |
Current operating countries
No country is operating the Lightning in 2024.
All operators
Armament
Missiles payload:
- Air-to-Air Short-Range De Havilland Firestreak
Photo of Lightning
3-view profile
