Preliminary testing revealed that while handling

Preliminary testing revealed that while handling and range was adequate, the top speed was a disappointing 641 mph (1,032 km/h) at sea level.^[6] After fitting McDonnell-designed afterburners to the second prototype, thrust was increased to 3,600 lbf (16.1 kN) with corresponding performance increases in top speed, initial rate of climb and reduced takeoff distance. HP Pavilion dv6-2066dx CPU Fan

Fuel consumption was greatly increased by use of the afterburners, however, reducing the range.^[5]

Although the XF-88 won the "fly-off" competition against the competing Lockheed XF-90 and North American YF-93, the detonation of the first nuclear weapon by the Soviet Union resulted in the USAF (created in 1947) reevaluating its fighter needs, HP 610777-001 CPU Fan with interceptors being more important and bomber escorts being of reduced priority, and it terminated the Penetration Fighter program in 1950.^[7] Analysis of Korean war missions, however, revealed that contemporary USAF strategic bombers were vulnerable to fighter interception. In 1951, Samsung MCF-913PAM05-40 CPU Fan the USAF issued a new requirement for a bomber escort with all major US manufacturers submitting designs. The McDonnell design was a larger and higher powered version of the XF-88, and won the bid in May 1951. The F-88 was redesignated the F-101 Voodoo in November 1951. HP Pavilion dv7-2140eo CPU Fan The new design was considerably larger, carrying three times the initial fuel load and designed around larger, more powerful Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets.^[9]The greater dimensions of the J57 engines required modifications to the engine bays, and modification to the intakes to allow a larger amount of airflow to the engine. HP Envy 15-1060ea CPU Fan The new intake also was designed to be more efficient at higher Mach numbers. In order to increase aerodynamic efficiency, reduce structural weight and alleviate "pitch-up" phenomena recently identified in flight testing of the D-558-2, an aircraft with a control surface configuration similar to the XF-88, the horizontal tail was relocated to the top of the vertical stabilizer, HP Pavilion dv4-2140us CPU Fan giving the F-101 its signature "T-tail". In late 1952, the mission of the F-101 was changed from "penetration fighter" to "strategic fighter", which entailed equal emphasis on both the bomber escort mission and on nuclear weapons delivery. The new Voodoo mock-up with the reconfigured inlets, tail surfaces, COMPAQ Presario F500 CPU Fan landing gear, and dummy nuclear weapon was inspected by Air Force officials in March 1953.^[10] The design was approved, and an initial order for 29 F-101As was placed on 28 May 1953, no prototypes being required as the F-101 was considered a simple development of the XF-88,^[11] with the Cook-Cragie production policy, HP Pavilion dv2310ca CPU Fan

in which initial low-rate production would be used for testing without the use of separate prototypes, chosen instead.

F-101A serial number 53-2418 was the first production aircraft; its maiden flight was on 29 September 1954 at Edwards AFBwhere it reached Mach 0.9 at 35,000 feet (10,670 m)^[14] This aircraft, which is privately owned, has been moved to the Evergreen Maintenance Center in Marana, Compaq Presario C554US CPU Fan

Arizona to undergo restoration for display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museumin McMinnville, Oregon. It was previously on display at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.

The end of the war in Korea and the development of the jet-powered B-52 negated the need for fighter escort and Strategic Air Command withdrew from the program. HP Pavilion dv9660ef CPU Fan Despite SAC's loss of interest, the aircraft attracted the attention of Tactical Air Command (TAC), and the F-101 was reconfigured as a fighter bomber, intended to carry a single nuclear weapon for use against tactical targets such as airfields. With the support of TAC, testing was resumed, with Category II flight tests beginning in early 1955. SONY UDQF2PH05-AS CPU Fan A number of problems were identified during development, with many of these fixed. The aircraft had a dangerous tendency toward severe pitch-up at high angle of attack that was never entirely solved.^[15] Around 2,300 improvements were made to the aircraft in 1955–56 before full production was resumed in November 1956. SONY Vaio VGN-A17CP CPU Fan The first F-101A was delivered on 2 May 1957 to the 27th Strategic Fighter Wing, which transferred to TAC in July that year,^[12] replacing their F-84F Thunderstreak. The F-101A was powered by two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-13 turbojets,^[11] allowing good acceleration, climb-performance, ease in penetrating the sound barrier in level flight, and a maximum performance ofMach 1.52. Toshiba G20 CPU Fan The F-101's large internal fuel capacity allowed a range of approximately 3,000 mi (4,828 km) nonstop.^[16] The aircraft was fitted with an MA-7 fire-control radar for both air-to-air and air-to-ground use, augmented by a Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) system for delivering nuclear weapons,^[11] and was designed to carry a Mk 28 nuclear bomb. DELL Vostro 1510 CPU Fan The original intended payload for the F-101A was the McDonnell Model 96 store, a large fuel/weapons pod similar in concept to that of theConvair B-58 Hustler, but was cancelled in March 1956 before the F-101 entered service. Other operational nuclear payloads included the Mk 7, Mk 43, and Mk 57 weapons. ACER Aspire One A150-1249 CPU Fan While theoretically capable of carrying conventional bombs, rockets, or Falcon air-to-air missiles,^[17] the Voodoo never used such weapons operationally.^[18] It was fitted with four 20mm M39 cannon, with one cannon often removed in service to make room for a TACAN beacon-receiver. HP Pavilion dv9766ez CPU Fan The F-101 set a number of speed records, including: a JF-101A (the ninth F-101A modified as a testbed for the more powerful J-57-P-53 engines of the F-101B) setting a world speed record of 1,207.6 mph (1,943.4 km/h) on 12 December 1957 during "Operation Firewall",^[19] beating the previous record of 1,132 mph (1,811 km/h) set by the Fairey Delta 2 in March the previous year. Dell Vostro 3400 CPU Fan The record was then subsequently taken in May 1958 by a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. On 27 November 1957, during "Operation Sun Run," an RF-101C set the Los Angeles-New York-Los Angeles record in 6 hours 46 minutes, the New York to Los Angeles record in 3 hours, 36 minutes, and the Los Angeles to New York record in 3 hours 7 minutes.^[20] SONY Vaio VGN-SZ4MRN/B CPU Fan A total of 77 F-101As were built. They were gradually withdrawn from service starting in 1966.^[21] Twenty-nine survivors were converted to RF-101Gspecifications with a modified nose, housing reconnaissance cameras in place of cannons and radar. These served with the Air National Guard through 1972. DELL Inspiron 1720 CPU Fan In October 1953, the USAF requested that two F-101As be built as prototype YRF-101A tactical reconnaissance aircraft. These were followed by 35 RF-101A production aircraft.^[23] The RF-101A shared the airframe of the F-101A, including its 6.33 g(62 m/s²) limit, but replaced the radar and cannons with up to six cameras in the reshaped nose.^[24] ASUS BFB0705HA CPU Fan

Like all other models of the F-101, it had provision for both flying boom and probe-and-drogue in-flight refueling capability, as well as for a buddy tank that allowed it to refuel other aircraft.^[17] It entered service in May 1957,^[25] replacing the RB-57 Canberra.

USAF RF-101As from the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw AFB, SC flew reconnaissance sorties over Cuba during theCuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.^[3] HP G56-106EA CPU Fan In October 1959, eight RF-101As were transferred to Taiwan, which used them for overflights of the Chinese mainland. These ROCAF RF-101A with modified C-model vertical fins with air intake. The intake is used to cool the drag chute compartment and eliminates the 5-minute limit on using the afterburners on the A model.^[26] Two were reportedly shot down. HP Pavilion dv7-4150ec CPU Fan The F-101A fighter-bomber had been accepted into Tactical Air Command (TAC) service despite a number of problems. Among others, its airframe had proven to be capable of withstanding only 6.33 g (62 m/s²) maneuvers, rather than the intended 7.33 g (72 m/s²).^[27] An improved model, the F-101C, was introduced in 1957. HP Pavilion dv5-1102tu CPU Fan It had a 500 lb (227 kg) heavier structure to allow 7.33-g maneuvers as well as a revised fuel system to increase the maximum flight time in afterburner.^[28] Like the F-101A it was also fitted with an underfuselage pylon for carrying atomic weapons, as well as two hardpoints for 450-gallon drop tanks.^[17] A total of 47 were produced. SONY VGN-SZ220 CPU Fan Originally serving with the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, the aircraft were transferred in 1958 from TAC to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, part of United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) which operated three squadrons from the twin RAF air stations Bentwaters & Woodbridge. HP Pavilion dv7-6011tx CPU Fan The 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron was stationed at Woodbridge, while the 91st and 92nd were stationed at Bentwaters. The 81st TFW served as a strategic nuclear deterrent force, the Voodoo's long range putting almost all of the Warsaw Pact countries, and targets up to 500 miles deep into the Soviet Union within reach. HP Pavilion dv5-1040eb CPU Fan Both the A and C model aircraft were assigned to the 81st TFW, and were used interchangeably within the three squadrons. Operational F-101A/C were upgraded in service with Low Angle Drogued Delivery (LADD) and Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) equipment for its primary mission of delivering nuclear weapons at extremely low altitudes. ASUS F3Jv CPU Fan

Pilots were trained for high speed, low level missions into Soviet or Eastern Bloc territory, with primary targets being airfields. These missions were expected to be one-way, with the pilots having to eject behind Soviet lines.^[28]

The F-101C never saw combat and was replaced in 1966 with the F-4C Phantom II.^[12] IBM ThinkPad R50p 2887 CPU Fan

Thirty-two aircraft were later converted for unarmed reconnaissance use under the RF-101H designation. They served with Air National Guard units until 1972.

Using the reinforced airframe of the F-101C, the RF-101C first flew on 12 July 1957,^[12] entering service in 1958. SONY VGN-CS36GJ/R CPU Fan

Like the RF-101A, the RF-101C had up to six cameras in place of radar and cannons in the reshaped nose and retained the bombing ability of the fighter-bomber versions. 166 RF-101Cs were built, including 96 originally scheduled to be F-101C fighter-bombers.^[24]

The 1964 Project "Toy Tiger" fitted some RF-101C with a new camera package and a centerline pod for photo-flash cartridges. Toshiba Satellite A215-S4807 CPU Fan

Some were further upgraded under the Mod 1181 program with automatic control for the cameras.

The RF-101C saw service during the Cuban Missile Crisis and soon followed the North American F-100 Super Sabres in October 1961, into combat when RF-101s from the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing deployed to Vietnam. Toshiba Satellite Pro M10-SP405 CPU Fan The RF-101C was deployed operationally during the Vietnam War, sustaining losses with the first F-101 being lost in November 1964 to ground fire. From 1965 through November 1970, its role was gradually taken over by the RF-4C Phantom II. In some 35,000 sorties, 39 aircraft were lost, 33 in combat,^[ HP Pavilion dv4-1120us CPU Fan including five to SAMs, one to an airfield attack, and one in air combat to a MiG-21 in September 1967. The RF-101C's speed made it largely immune to MiG interception. 27 of the combat losses occurred on reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam. In April 1967, ALQ-71 ECM pods were fitted to provide some protection against SAMs. Compaq Presario C550EM CPU Fan

Although the Voodoo was again able to operate at medium altitudes, the added drag and weight decreased the speed enough to make RF-101 vulnerable to the maneuverable (and cannon-equipped) MiGs and thus requiring fighter escort.

On 27 November 1957 during Operation Sun Run, an RF-101C piloted by then-Captain Robert Sweet set theToshiba Qosmio E15-AV101 CPU Fan

Los Angeles-New York-Los Angeles record in 6 hours 46 minutes, and the New York to Los Angeles record in 3 hours, 36 minutes. Another RF-101C, piloted by then-Lieutenant Gustav Klatt, set the Los Angeles to New York record in 3 hours 7 minutes.^[20]

After withdrawal from Vietnam, the RF-101C continued to serve with USAF units through 1979. Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4056 CPU Fan

In service, the RF-101C was nicknamed the "Long Bird;" it was the only version of the Voodoo to see combat.

In the late 1940s, the Air Force had started a research project into future interceptor aircraft that eventually settled on an advanced specification known as the 1954 interceptor. Contracts for this specification eventually resulted in the selection of the F-102 Delta Dagger, Toshiba Satellite A305-S6837 CPU Fan but by 1952 it was becoming clear that none of the parts of the specification other than the airframe would be ready by 1954; the engines, weapons and fire control systems were all going to take too long to get into service. An effort was then started to quickly produce an interim supersonic design to replace the various subsonic interceptors then in service, and the F-101 airframe was selected as a starting point.^[32] HP Pavilion dv7-4087cl CPU Fan Although McDonnell proposed the designation F-109 for the new aircraft (which was to be a substantial departure from the basic Voodoo),^[33] the USAF assigned the designation F-101B. It was first deployed into service on January 5, 1959, with the60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.^[34] The production ended in March 1961.^[2] HP Pavilion dv5-1118es CPU Fan The Voodoo featured a modified cockpit to carry a crew of two, with a larger and more rounded forward fuselage to hold the Hughes MG-13 fire control radar of the F-102. It had data link to the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, allowing ground controllers to steer the aircraft towards its targets by making adjustments through the plane's autopilot. Toshiba Satellite A665-S6050 CPU Fan The F-101B had more powerful Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55 engines, making it the only Voodoo not using the -13 engines. The new engines featured a substantially longer afterburner than J57-P-13s. To avoid a major redesign, the extended afterburners were simply allowed to extend out of the fuselage by almost 8 ft (2.4 m). HP Pavilion G72-259WM CPU Fan

The more powerful engines and aerodynamic refinements allowed an increased speed of Mach 1.85.^[17]

The F-101B was stripped of the four M39 cannons and carried four AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missiles instead, arranged two apiece on a rotating pallet in the fuselage weapons bay.^[17] HP Pavilion dv6-3109ca  CPU  Fan The initial load was two GAR-1 (AIM-4A) semi-active radar homingand two GAR-2 (AIM-4B) infrared-guided weapons with one of each carried on each side of the rotating pallet.^[35] After the first two missiles were fired, the door turned over to expose the second pair. Standard practice was to fire the weapons in SARH/IR pairs to increase the likelihood of a hit. HP Pavilion dv6782eg CPU Fan Late-production models had provision for two 1.7-kiloton MB-1/AIR-2 Genienuclear rockets on one side of the pallet with IR-guided GAR-2A (AIM-4C) on the other side. "Project Kitty Car" upgraded most earlier F-101Bs to this standard beginning in 1961. SONY UDQF2PH52CF0 CPU Fan From 1963 through 1966, F-101Bs were upgraded under the Interceptor Improvement Program (IIP; also known as "Project Bold Journey"), with a fire control system enhancement against hostile ECM and an infrared sighting and tracking (IRST) system in the nose in place of the in-flight refueling probe.^[36] Toshiba UDQFRPH33CCM CPU Fan The F-101B was made in greater numbers than the F-101A and C, with a total of 479 being delivered by the end of production in 1961.^[37] Most of these were delivered to the Air Defense Command (ADC) beginning in January 1959.^[34] The only foreign customer for the F-101B was Canada.^[38] For more details on the history of the Voodoo in Canada, see McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo. Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980 CPU Fan The F-101B was withdrawn from ADC service from 1969 to 1972, with many surviving USAF aircraft transferred to the Air National Guard (replacing F-102s), serving until 1982. The last Voodoo in US service (F-101B-105-MC 58-300) was finally retired by the 2nd Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron at Tyndall AFB in Florida on 21 September 1982. HP 052907A CPU FAN Some of the F-101Bs were completed as dual-control operational trainer aircraft initially dubbed TF-101B, but later redesignated F-101F. Seventy-nine new-build F-101Fs were manufactured, and 152 more existing aircraft were later modified with dual controls. Ten of these were supplied to Canada under the designation CF-101F. HP 13.V1.B3403.GN CPU FAN

These were later replaced with 10 updated aircraft in 1971.

In the early 1970s, a batch of 22 ex-RCAF CF-101Bs were returned to the USAF and converted to RF-101B reconnaissanceaircraft with their radar and weapons bay replaced with a package of three KS-87B cameras and two AXQ-2 TV cameras. HP 13.V1.BJ195.F.GN CPU FAN An in-flight refueling boom receptacle was also fitted. These aircraft served with the 192d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of theNevada Air National Guard through 1975. They were expensive to operate and maintain and had a short service life. HP 344872-001 CPU FAN,HP 367795-001 CPU FAN,HP 384622-001 CPU FAN