The F-102 Delta Dagger, more commonly referred to as the “Deuce”, was an all-weather interceptor which served with the U.S. Air Force’s Aerospace Defense Command, tasked with defending the United States from a Soviet bomber attack during the Cold War era. Development of the F-102 began in 1950. Its design was very advanced for the time; featuring a delta wing and an integrated fire control system linking the avionics and its air-to-air missile armament. At the time, the F-102 was anticipated to serve as an interim aircraft, pending development of the “Ultimate Interceptor”, the Mach 2 F-106 Delta Dart.

Due to the complexities and difficulties inherent with its advanced structural design and avionics, the F-102 had a long development period, and did not enter operational service until 1956. Its aerodynamic design, for example, had to be modified to provide for the “Area Rule” concept; a mid-section narrowing of the fuselage for improved supersonic performance. Once in service, the F-102 was plagued by various problems, particularly the reliability of its advanced Hughes MG-10 fire control system. The F-102’s primary drawback, however, was its lack of speed. It was supersonic, but only by a small margin, and sub-sonic when fitted with external fuel tanks. Since speed was key to its mission of locating & destroying enemy bombers, its active days were numbered once the faster F-101 Voodoo and F-106 Delta Dart became available in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Despite being considered an interim aircraft, a total of 889 F-102’s were manufactured - far more than either of its successors. The last F-102’s were eventually retired from the Air National Guard in 1976.

The F-102 had a top speed of 825 mph (Mach 1.2). Its armament included six AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missiles and 24 – 2.75 inch unguided rockets, all carried internally.

ESAM’s F-102 was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1956, where it served with units of Aerospace Defense Command & Alaskan Air Command until its retirement in 1971. From 1957-60, it served with the 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Griffiss Air Force Base, New York.

THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

Serial No. 56-1219

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