The Supermarine Type 553 was a British
Mach
The Mach number (M or Ma), often only Mach, (; ) is a dimensionless quantity in fluid dynamics representing the ratio of flow velocity past a Boundary (thermodynamic), boundary to the local speed of sound.
It is named after the Austrian physi ...
2 research aircraft project from 1953 that never proceeded beyond the initial proposal.
Design and development
The difficulty of achieving Mach 2 flight was realised during the development of the 545, which led to Vickers-Supermarine proposing the 553 with a swept wing that would reduce
aerodynamic drag
In fluid dynamics, drag, sometimes referred to as fluid resistance, is a force acting opposite to the direction of motion of any object moving with respect to a surrounding fluid. This can exist between two fluid layers, two solid surfaces, or b ...
. It was to have been built using aluminium alloy which limited the top speed, and the Air Ministry wanted a twin engine design in which alternative engines could readily be installed, and 553 development was abandoned. Lack of endurance was also cited as a problem. The
Bristol 188 was developed instead.
Specifications (Supermarine Type 553)
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Supermarine Type 553
Type 553
1950s British experimental aircraft
High-wing aircraft
Single-engined jet aircraft
Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear
Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United Kingdom