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Douglas X-3 Stiletto High-Speed Research Aircraft Family

The Douglas X-3 Stiletto was a single-place high-speed research aircraft built to investigate sustained Mach 2 flight, low-aspect-ratio wings, and extensive titanium construction. Engine shortfalls left it underpowered, but its 1952-1956 flight program produced important stability-and-control, structural-load, materials, and tire-technology data that influenced later supersonic aircraft.

Douglas X-3 Stiletto High-Speed Research Aircraft Family
NASA photo E-17348 · NASA content is generally not subject to U.S. copyright and may be used factually for educational or informational purposes with NASA acknowledged; no NASA endorsement is implied. Usage guidelines: https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/images-and-media/ · Source
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Identity

Aliases
X-3StilettoDouglas XS-3Douglas Stiletto
Family Name
Douglas X-3 Stiletto
Full Name
Douglas X-3 Stiletto High-Speed Research Aircraft Family
Roles
researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
Status
retired
Type
aircraft

Details

Aircraft Specs
Configuration
fixed_wing
Operating Modes
land
Takeoff Landing Capabilities
conventional
Description
The Douglas X-3 Stiletto was a single-place high-speed research aircraft built to investigate sustained Mach 2 flight, low-aspect-ratio wings, and extensive titanium construction. Engine shortfalls left it underpowered, but its 1952-1956 flight program produced important stability-and-control, structural-load, materials, and tire-technology data that influenced later supersonic aircraft.
First Flight Year
1,952
Last Flight Year
1,956
Manufacturer

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 21:07:34 UTC
Updated Time
August 22, 2026 at 04:10:44 UTC
Douglas X-3 Stiletto High-Speed Research Aircraft Family - AeroVia