The ultimate interceptor that would still beat anything flying today... XF-108

[@FoundAndExplained]

HELP the channel and get Opera here: opr.as/12-Opera-browser-foundandexplained

[@demortorman]

Already watching it on Opera :) Best browser ever! I use it for more than 10 years

[@AdmiralLj]

Best channel whit the worse sponership

[@Isteak80]

Quite possibly the coolest looking "never was" planes I've seen. It matched so well aesthetically with the Valkyrie bomber too.

[@thecactusman17]

It makes perfect sense that both aircraft looked like spaceships when you realize that NAA also built the Space Shuttle only a few years later.

[@Tozzpot500]

This and the TSR2. although we got lucky and there are a few prototype TSR2's still about today.

[@Strykenine]

I was thinking the same thing. We can't have nice things, apparently.

[@fredmachine]

The North American A5 Vigilante at least inherited some design features of it, I guess...

[@francoistombe]

The Canadian Avro Arrow was one of these super fast long range interceptors. 5 were built and then politics came along.

[@DBTwister]

small typo....1000 miles = 1600 km

[@farfromreal]

yep repeated at 9:56

[@Eagle-mn9mo]

1680

[@pedropabloarango]

Maybe its nautical miles?

[@nahornig]

Yeah, I choked on that too.

[@petiertje]

Thanks for this. As a 'non mile person' I was wondering why 160km was considered long range :D

[@Eclipse135.]

It looks like a baby Xb-70 Valkyrie

[@buttcracker]

That’s what I thought it was seeing the thumbnail before reading the title

[@Coyote27981]

Which makes total sense, same period, same company.

[@dc-101]

​@@Coyote27981 and same engine

[@roryhennessey1983]

They don't grow their canards and four extra engines until adulthood

[@Eclipse135.]

@@roryhennessey1983 I was actually thinking of that in my mind earlier hahaha

[@JGreen-le8xx]

SR-71 has entered chat. "Yeah, my top speed is still classified. So you won't be beating my records anytime soon Jr. ".....

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

The rapier was actually being developed at the same time, and likely could have exceeded the blackbird’s performance, but it’s safe to say if the rapier had been built, its top speed also would have been Mach classified.

[@drlong08]

A-10 has also entered the chat as the sport model....

[@ronjon7942]

@@silaskuemmerle2505Hard to say. Granted, there’s not much in the way of documentation, but I’ve never come across the 108 was to use exotic metals for its skins and frame, thereby limiting it to Mach 2.3-2.5. But I guess it could have been intended to use the stainless steel honeycomb of its big brother.

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

@ronjon7942 it's reasonable to assume that sister programs would use similar construction materials especially since they were designed to work together which is hard to accomplish when one is dramatically slower than the other

[@Bob-b7x6v]

Ironic, an interceptor built to stop a supersonic bomber that never happened. Cough-cough, Foxbat.

[@jade7631]

Foxbat was built in dozens. Unless you mean an actual interception which it also had. It just never shot anything bombers down before.

[@wilsonnosliw-eb3yc]

*TU-160 has entered the chat*

[@adrianstachowski9422]

That was years later though and not long after foxbat - F14, F15 and also F16 came. And tu160 entered service 10 years after F14 so tomcat and phoenix were already improved and proven

[@erasmus_locke]

If you think it looks like an XB-70 you're right. It was designed by the same people and borrowed a lot of technology the engines in particular.

[@Bob-b7x6v]

At least the US got the AIM-54 Phoenix and A-5 Vigilante out of all this...

[@lohikarhu734]

Kind of killed off like the CF-105 Arrow. Politicians of the day decided that there was no need for manned interceptors, but, as usual, they failed to see that needs would change, yet again.

[@DBeau73]

And a ripoff of the Avro Arrow too. Both look pretty much the same.

[@adrianstachowski9422]

Yes, but also no. This one would be only fast interceptor with 3 missiles only able to intercept bombers. Later interceptor like F14 were able to carry more missiles, still be fast af but also fight other interceptors and fighters all in smaller and more efficient package. Also soviets later started to build some dangerous designs years later like foxbat or tu160 which weren't even on paper there while xf108 was in development

[@thepavementendsnow1901]

I believe the CF-105 is the Arrow… Funny that the Merican plane looks very similar to the Arrow, mmm…

[@basedjorts]

@@DBeau73not really. They were developed at the same time but the Rapier was intended to fly higher and faster than the Arrow.

[@DavidSiebert]

@@DBeau73 No the Wing shape is different. Intakes are different. The weapon system is different.. As I would love to have seen the Arrow finish testing people are a little nuts about that plane. It was not a Mach 3 aircraft.

[@canadiancorporal3501]

I love this channel.. being a veteran helps me remember all the planes I have seen over the years... Thanks for all the work... All the best from Nova Scotia Canada

[@RobSchofield]

Glad someone has covered this - there's an absolute paucity of material online about the 108, apart from what appears about the shadow development of the XB-70 (shared escape equipment, engines, composites, etc.). The cancellation of the XB-70 as a development program (even as the two prototypes were carrying out initial flight tests) effectively doubled the price of these subsystems overnight, making it even more expensive, contributing to the collection of coffin nails. Really wish there was a decent book about it, but alas no. Thanks for doing this video, very welcome 🤓👍

[@julieeckhart8492]

And no one has heard of the AVRO ARROW....LoL

[@jamesanderson6882]

Avro Arrow is a good one if you have not done it

[@casualcombine]

0:43 THATS FALLOUT

[@skenzyme81]

8:09 The pronunciation of *"Row-Terry"* Missile Bay should make us all glad be looked up how to pronounce *"Rapier."* 😅

[@danielreed1859]

Starting to think he’s AI

[@skenzyme81]

@ He's very real, but it's common for Australians to seem like AI. 😅

[@dartviader6292]

​@@skenzyme81 Because Earth is flat and Australia does not exist 😂

[@patk8417]

Sure looks like an A 5 vigilante and a CF 105 Arrow all together, and it wound up in the bin just like the Arrow and the British TSR2 :-( 🍁

[@godzillapickle6911]

Im actually so happy someone is finally giving this aircraft a explication as for someone like me who loves this aircraft it doesnt get enough love… thanks mate.

[@WeaponTheory1]

The XF-108 Rapier was an ambitious project with incredible potential, designed to intercept threats at unmatched speeds and altitudes. Although it never entered production, its advanced design and capabilities still spark admiration and show how ahead of its time it was. It’s a fascinating "what if" in aviation history.

[@jeffery7281]

CF-105 and XF-108 - two of my most favourite interceptors. There is almost none files about the Rapier, so I'm happy to check my YT mainpage and see it being broadcasting!

[@alaingabriel1710]

Ahem, what about the Avro Arrow? The Avro Arrow prototype supersonic interceptors and pre-series aircraft actually flew, using the prototype Orenda supersonic engines. The Avro Arrow worked with early testing success with these prototype Orenda engines. The next step was testing with the production series Orenda supersonic engines but before this could happen the entire Avro Arrow program was cancelled by the Conservative Party government of Prime Minister Diefenbaker.

[@Hyposonic]

I knew the Canadians would inject the Avro Arrow into this. It's why I even clicked on this link. They do not disappoint.

[@JackNiles-hc8yz]

The Arrow never flew with the Orenda engine, only the J-75.

[@ronjon7942]

@@JackNiles-hc8yzgood catch.

[@evanfinch4987]

plane was garbage

[@jessediego4096]

​@evanfinch4987 no, the Canadians saw that the project was too expensive

[@nonamenoname142]

9:56 "160 miles or approximately 250 km (European units). The whole world uses the metric system except for the USA and two other countries."

[@bobreid5079]

While touring NASA last year they described the main rocket assembly building using basketball courts, Olympic pools and ping pong balls. My seat mate said Americans will do anything to not use Metric

[@nonamenoname142]

@bobreid5079 Yeah, but i think that's mostly because children and some adults don't have an association with measurement units.

[@ianpilkington169]

Looks like a TSR2 copy

[@LaZoucheCustomshop]

UK government killed it after the U.S. instructed us to so we could have an IMF loan, yet they say the loan went through before it was cancelled so why was it not only cancelled but totally expunged via destruction of even the molds, unfinished airframes and planes, all burnt, why? No it was the bankers who killed ALL the UK industry sadly so they could hold sway with off shore trusts and banking thus no investment in the UK as you can rip everyone off abroad.

[@patrickbureau1402]

Hay Couz - hum Avro ARROW look alike 🌺🌺

[@Bob-b7x6v]

The Molot bomber was a bootleg B-47/52. It ended up carrying rocket boosters and fuel tanks on it's back instead of dropping nukes.

[@wyw876]

0:43 I had no idea Mr. Handy from Fallout was in a documentary! lol

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Video starts at 3:00 Brutal 3 minute commercial. Just so you know I refuse to purchase any service or item forced on me on yt. I pay for premium for a reason.

[@knowledgerocket2818]

9:55 "A range of 160miles" - I'm sure not! that wouldn't make any sense, Fix please otherwise great vid!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Just one of the many mistakes and mispronunciations that seem to be deliberately inserted into every video to ensure lots of comments 🫤 SIGH

[@joshthomas2143]

🤓☝️

[@nullterm]

@@edwardfletcher7790so much for AI driven research

[@korvusknull1447]

It would have been a great aircraft. A modern version would be useful for long range interception and as a munitions truck.

[@Bikini_ST]

The F-15EX flies at mach 2.5+ and 3000 miles of range. I think it would satisfy the role of bomber inceptor.

[@M16_Akula-III]

​@@Bikini_STM2.5+ only on clean loadout. Flying that fast also severely reduces the range.

[@Burninhellscrootoob]

Looks like the Navy's Vigilante!

[@frisk151]

Sounds cool.... Irrelevant without production.... Great coverage! Thanks!

[@VegasUte]

Surprised that so little (no) discussion of "compression lift" which was key to the aerodynamics of both the XB-70 and the XF-108.

[@EricCoop]

With some updates, this could (theoretically) be produced as a Gen 5.5 fighter. Maybe combine some elements from the CF-105 Arrow?

[@wallymorris7328]

Nice choice on the tail markings. The 84th FIS.

[@okb1068]

Would love to see you do a video on the Super Scorpion developments.

[@modelermark172]

Thanks for making and sharing this, Found and Explained; this was one of the most intriguing Cold War designs that we never got; though I do understand the reasons. In the end, only the Soviet Union managed to get their MiG-25 into production; though Canada did come in a close second by getting five flying prototype of the CF-105 Arrow, while our XF-108 (and XF-103) never really made it past the wooden mockup stage. But I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if North American Aviation and Avro Canada had decided to combine their projects by using the Canadian CF-105 airframe with American engines, avionics and weapons developed for the XF-108 to produce a mach-3 interceptor? Since Avro built the F-86 under license, these two companies already had established ties. There would have been plenty of obstacles to overcome, not the least of these being the different units of measure. But as with the (ultimately unsuccessful) American / German MBT-70 tank project, each nation could have used their own measurements, with all interface points being metric. One of my future modeling projects will be to depict this using the Hobby Craft 1/72 scale CF-105 Arrow, using scratch built exhausts and Phoenix missiles from the Hasegawa weapons set, along with decals adapted from an F-106 sheet to represent the fictitious F-108C. Eventually, I'd like to do a second one in Canadian AF markings as the CF-105 Arrow Mk. V. My Like is in the 1.8Ks

[@jacobbrassard2776]

Why use the CF 105 airframe its way less advance...

[@coreyandnathanielchartier3749]

While I don't know much about the XF-108 structure metallurgy, I do know that the Arrow had some issues with aerodynamic heating at Mach 2ish, which would have been aggravated immensely by pushing it up to Mach 3.

[@modelermark172]

@@coreyandnathanielchartier3749 Both you and jacobbrassard2776 raise very good points. I do remember reading that Avro Canada was working on a improved CF-105 that would have been mach-3 capable, and with North American's research on the XF-108 thrown-in, this could have been done easier through teamwork. As for why this joint project would use the CF-105 airframe; it was flight proven while the 'more advanced' XF-108 only made it to the wooden mockup and wind-tunnel model stage by the time the decision was made to cancel both aircraft. And again, my ideas are only hypothetical, "what-if?" modeling projects. Using the existing 1/72nd scale Hobby Craft CF-105 is a lot easier and less expensive than buying the resin Anigrad XF-108 kit, or hiring someone with a 3D Printer to make one for me.

[@CallMeKoGaming]

3:40 EXCUSE MW WHAT WAS THAT EXPLOSION?

[@JD57R]

Why push for an aircraft that was never produced in Any numbers, while the F-106 was actually doing the job 40+ years ago?

[@Ghent_Halcyon]

Could you do one about the SR-71I? It’s basically the YF-12, but with AIM-120’s, and with the SR-71 body instead of the A-12.

[@dad_jokes_4ever226]

Looks a lot like the carrier based RA-5C Vigilante

[@VigilanteAgumon]

Same company

[@mookie2637]

@@VigilanteAgumon Same forward fuselage and other components I think.

[@MarkMullins-g9g]

The 50s was wild for aviation designs what a time it must have been

[@EricDPeterson56]

This looks a lot like the A5 Vigilante, that morphed into the RA-5C that I worked on in the Navy in the mid-late '70s.

[@TheMcspreader]

I think a dive into 'zip fuels' is warranted. While not quite P-stoff and T-stoff it was definitely on the spectrum of crazy shit.

[@Bob-b7x6v]

It's a very MAD world.

[@jcole77]

I loved seeing that Mr. Handy in the early part. Totally Fifties. Robco forevah.

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

Hey the og thumbnail is back, yay! Thanks!

[@barriewright2857]

The question i have to ask could this be built today. But with all of the latest military aviation technologies .

[@haydnw869]

YES exactly my thought too!

[@TeensierPython]

Of course it could. But why?

[@haydnw869]

@@TeensierPython yeah it would never be build due to the necessity for minimising radar returns and kinetic performance “speed (aka how much speed you can retain whilst Manoeuvering) is key” A Mach 3 boom and zoom interceptor would be shot down or at lest kept at such a distance as to be ineffective. Not to mention I’d imagine even with modern technology this new 108 would still be a maintenance hog. Sadly interceptors went extinct for a reason.

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

@@barriewright2857 we don't need our own version of the people in Canada who proposed that very thing for the Arrow

[@Jeza921]

The XF-108 was ultimately canceled due to changing defense priorities and the advent of more versatile platforms, like the F-111 and the rise of surface-to-air missile systems. The video may explore how the cancellation of such ambitious projects shaped the trajectory of military aviation. The XF-108 was never built in sufficient numbers to prove its potential, so the discussion could also center around how history could have been different if the interceptor had entered service. Would it have changed the balance of air power, or would it have been outpaced by technological advancements?

[@Primus54]

The thumbnail instantly brought the Vigilante and North American to mind harkening to my youth. As a young lad thoroughly enthralled with aircraft, I was fortunate to live near the North American plant in Columbus that built and tested the A-5 Vigilante which became a very regular sight in the sky over my house. Good times.

[@Darkhorse393]

Isn't this plane a copy of the AVRO ARROW ?

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks!

[@aaronsanborn4291]

A lot of aircraft designed in the 50s and 60s just had amazing looks

[@stenic2]

I thought the rapier was meant to fight the m-50 which was a Soviet supersonic bomber ( its real performance were very modest despite the looks)

[@allenstratton5399]

12:40 is that an SR71 or YF12 with a missile bay door?

[@johnbrobston1334]

YF-12 was the interceptor. 3 built. Production version canceled.

[@DuCatexplores]

The XF-108 was an advanced interceptor aircraft designed to defeat any enemy aircraft in the sky during its time. With its high speed, long range, and cutting-edge radar and missile systems, it was considered a supreme interceptor. However, despite its potential, it never reached full production due to evolving technologies and changing military needs.

[@unsatisfiedfans7422]

Why it looks like XB-70 Valkyrie? That's because XF-108's designer was the same one who created the Valkyrie....

[@HondoDogman]

One day i would still really love to see the f-107, still such an underrated unusual beauty of the same timeframe. Love the channel though!

[@johnbrobston1334]

Yep. The super-duper saber.

[@joankroll8091]

Funny how much this plane resembles the Avro Arrow. And in the same timeframe.

[@ronjon7942]

Development for both seems to have started in earnest in 1955. But yeah, eerily similar.

[@joankroll8091]

​@@ronjon7942And Killed by the same President.

[@fjandro9646]

I think XF-103 was way crazier, honestly

[@Pishijoon]

Maybe if it was produced , it could find out what those drones are in the sky of new jersey 😂

[@alm5992]

"European Units" are actually "THE ENTIRE EFFING WORLD UNITS, *except US."

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Are you going to cover the F-4X? The projected speeds surpassed the Foxbat, putting it in range of the SR-72.

[@M16_Akula-III]

1. SR-72 doesn't exist 2. There's no way a Phantom fuselage can go that fast

[@johnbrobston1334]

@@M16_Akula-III F-4X would probably have been like Foxbat--Mach 3 for one flight after which it's essentially trashed.

[@ViaAvione]

Amazing!

[@Tom-j2k8n]

It was meant to an escort for the B-70 . When it got canceled so did the Rapier

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

The rapier was actually cancelled well before the Valkyrie

[@ronjon7942]

I recall reading about an escort mission profile, though.

[@nipock3037]

"Accept for Fallout fans," Well depending on if we can get to a Vault in time and which Vault it is at that, Lol

[@Jagermonsta]

6:57 - 1609km

[@DevinAWhiting]

Looks like the bird of prey

[@dphlon3374]

Looks similar to the Avro Arrow. Made around the same time too.

[@keithammleter3824]

Found and Explained said that the Soviet Bison jet bomber was thought in the US to be able to bomb at supersonic speed. Highly unlikely - the Soviets would have to defy the laws of physics to achieve that. Perhaps he confused it with the much later M-50 Bounder, which could fly supersonically but most likely had to drop below Mach 1 to drop bombs (and never entered service except as a test bed).

[@DevinAWhiting]

Good job.

[@its-butters58]

The single vertical stabilizer baffles me

[@maplelafe7671]

Tictac...... hold my nanodrink.. 😅

[@coreyandnathanielchartier3749]

In the end, fighters flying at Mach 3 were nixed because of unrealistic range projections. It's nearly impossible to build a jet that can cruise at Mach 3 for any distance with internal fuel. While Mach 3 dash-speed(over-target) is useful for a Valkyrie-type bomber, it would have cruised at a much more modest speed. Soviets had to make their Mach 3 MiGs to massive size to carry enough fuel for their mission, but it is never enough. I enjoyed this video, if for nothing else, the great graphics. To think that they were building stuff like this in the year I was born is amazing.

[@johnbrobston1334]

SR-71 has entered the chat . . . Could fly supersonic for 90 minutes before looking for a tanker. That's 3,000 miles.

[@coreyandnathanielchartier3749]

@@johnbrobston1334 Yes, the Blackbird is an amazing plane, but not exactly one you sit in a hangar for months at a time and fire up on 5 minutes notice. Not a good candidate for dispersed deployment. Also, don't imagine that a tanker is just going to be loitering around the North Pole when she runs low on fuel, and if that tanker isn't carrying JP-7, then the 71 would be limited to a return speed below the top speed of a Hornet or MiG-21. Luckily for all, we never had to test the nuclear interception mission.

[@BionicRusty]

Awesome. Such a shame we never saw it.

[@mookie2637]

YF-12 signing in at12:36 :)

[@eternaltale6482]

Russian Kamov Ka - 22 from 60 ties ! Bizzare chopper, that looks like plane.

[@OCE_Stealyx]

The man the myth the legend FOUND AND EXPLAINED, love your content

[@jaydawg7]

Imagine this with modern missile systems...

[@lantinian]

I do want to see a vid on the Rockwell XFV-12

[@ChristianLanctot]

It looks like an Avro Arrow

[@carstenpedersen3200]

A range of 160 Miles?

[@ThomasD1962]

Yeah... The missile had a 160 mile range. Combat range of the Rapier would've been 1160 miles and the ferry range 2480 miles. Sounds better!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Just one of the many mistakes and mispronunciations that seem to be deliberately inserted into every video to ensure lots of comments 🫤 SIGH

[@anthonyovering6038]

Welcome Back, Avro Arrow!

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

The rapier and arrow were killed at the same time

[@davidlucas9582]

@@silaskuemmerle2505 Arrow was cancelled Sep'58, was already in the air flying Mach 1.98 in testing. The Rapier at that time was a mockup, and was later cancelled in Sept '59.

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

@ no, the Arrow was very famously cancelled on February 20th, 1959.

[@LucDesaulniers1]

Dont forget the Canadian Valkyrie

[@firemustang6678]

The best and most beautiful interceptor ever made at least till mockup, hmmm I think this interceptor could deploy in Nam for covert the bomber like F105 because it has long range missile... Though the U.S has F14 but that was late...

[@payag_venture]

15:24 Dassault Rafale please..😊

[@bush_wookie_9606]

Well that was good timing on my part

[@saucebottle_]

AINT FASTER THAN AN AIM 120 🗣🗣️🔥🔥

[@ChristIsKing4ever-l9w]

So America's version of the MiG-31

[@thekraken1173]

If you look at the timeline and operational role it is closer to being America’s Mig25

[@GeeShocker]

​@@thekraken1173and ten years earlier.

[@ronjon7942]

Maybe he means the Firefox?

[@franticunit]

скорее ТУ-128

[@navnig]

I knew NOTHING at all about this thing!!

[@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P]

YEAH...... in an Air show.... flying low at........ MACH 3.0!!! That's "...low at 3. OHHHHhhhhhhhh!!"

[@sk.saifullahhafiz2395]

Somthing the UEF from Supreme Commander would use

[@CPM_1975]

Essentially, it is a modified copy of Avro Arrow.

[@basedjorts]

Except better in every way

[@idksomecarguy]

"would you intercept me? i'd intercept me..."

[@rustyshackleford3278]

Nick, check out the Boeing Bird Of Prey concept aircraft. That one was strange to say the least. You might find it interesting for a future topic

[@Weeeui]

US's very own Mig25/31 that never built!

[@Kjell777Iverson]

So that's where all the Canadian aerospace engineers went after the Avro Arrow was cancelled...

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

My good sir, *why you keep changing the thumbnails?* the one with see-through is good enough

[@saint_alucardwarthunder759]

So it's a MiG-25 in a cowboy hat

[@B-52H]

No it's a baby valkerie

[@saint_alucardwarthunder759]

@B-52H val is a bomber

[@B-52H]

@@saint_alucardwarthunder759 ik but it has more in common with that project

[@ForceOfChaos1776]

It quiet and fast now shhhh

[@GeeShocker]

You mean the americans saw the MIG-25 in 1969 and traveled back in time just to bin the project in 1959?

[@tomorrow6]

Hang on there was a British low flying plane that had quite a similar wing configuration

[@Rob_F8F]

BAC TSR2

[@mookie2637]

@@Rob_F8F Totally different intended use case. The TSR2 was specifically designed to be a strike/interdictor aircraft. That's why it theoretically had (for example) terrain following radar. The 108 wing design is a cranked delta, the TSR2's definitely was not a delta, and was designed for a relatively high loading.

[@Rob_F8F]

@@mookie2637 Yes, TSR2 was for strike/recon and not interception. I rise it as I believe that was the British aircraft that the OP was thinking of. It shares the same time period and general shape with the Rapier.

[@tomorrow6]

@@Rob_F8F thank you- it was indeed the plane i was thinking of.

[@ArielWoodward-lw3yp]

Hey there never found and hardly explained

[@MrCenturion13]

Mini-Valkyrie. Cancelled for the same reasons.