Bell X-9 Shrike

In 1951, the RTV-A-4 was redesignated as X-9, and the flight test program continued until January 1953. The X-9 was a rather successful test vehicle, and some thought was actually given to production of a limited number of Shrikes as interim operational missiles until the B-63/GAM-63 Rascal would become available. However, the limited range and payload of the X-9 eventually killed that proposal. In total, 31 RTV-A-4/X-9 vehicles were built. Photo: Bell Aerospace via Jay Miller

Bell X-9 on its trailer

The Bell X-9 Shrike was a prototype surface-to-air, liquid-fueled guided missile designed by Bell Aircraft as a testbed for the nuclear-armed GAM-63 RASCAL. It is named after the shrike, a family of birds.

Testing

Thirty-one X-9 rockets were delivered, flying from April 1949 to January 1953. The program was used to gather aerodynamic and stability data, and to test guidance and propulsion systems for the RASCAL.

None of the missiles survived testing. The only known remaining fragment of an X-9 is part of a vertical stabilizer, at the Larry Bell Museum in Mentone, Indiana.

Specifications (X-9)

General characteristics:

• Length: 22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
• Wingspan: 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m)
• Diameter: 1 ft 10 in (0.56 m)
• Wing area: 70 ft² (6.5 m²)
• Weight (empty): 2,125 lb (964 kg)
• Weight (loaded): 3,500 lb (1,588 kg)
• Propulsion: Bell XLR65-BA-1 liquid-fuel rocket engine, 3,000 lbf (13.3 kN) thrust

Performance:

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.0
• Range: 50 mi (80 km)
• Service ceiling: 12.3 mi (19.8 km)
• Rate of climb: m/min (ft/min)
• Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight:

See also

• Bell GAM-63, a related development
• List of experimental aircraft

References

• American X-Vehicles (PDF)