It was a fast-climbing pure interceptor that used a delta wing configuration and powered by a pair of Westinghouse J34 turbojet engines, which were equipped with afterburners for bursts of additional acceleration. The Skyray originated within a design study, the D-571-1, performed by Douglas and funded by the United States Navy (USN). The F5D Skylancer was an advanced development of the F4D Skyray that ultimately did not enter service. The last Skyrays were withdrawn from service in February 1964, although a handful continued to be flown for experimental purposes by National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) up to the end of the decade. It also set a new time-to-altitude record, fflying from a standing start to 49,221 feet (15,003 m) in two minutes and 36 seconds, all while flying at a 70° pitch angle. Despite this, it was the first carrier-launched aircraft to hold the world's absolute speed record, having attained a top speed of 752.943 mph, (1,211.744 km/h), and was the first USN and USMC fighter that could exceed Mach 1 in level flight. The Skyray had a relatively brief service life, during which it never participated in actual combat. The Skyray was declared ready for fleet introduction in April 1956, permitting its entry to service with both the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) shortly thereafter. Aerodynamic issues would also lead to a protracted development cycle, considerable design changes being made even after the maiden flight of a production standard Skyray having taken place in June 1954. The decision to adopt the Westinghouse J40 turbojet engine to power it would lead to considerable difficulties later on as this engine would be cancelled prior to entering production. Douglas' proposal was selected by Navy officials to fulfil a formal requirement issued in 1948. It was delta wing interceptor capable of a high rate of climb as to permit the rapid interception of approaching hostile bombers. It was the last fighter produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company prior to its merger with McDonnell Aircraft to become McDonnell Douglas.ĭevelopment of the Skyray was started by Douglas during the late 1940s as the D-571-1 design study. The Douglas F4D Skyray (later redesignated F-6 Skyray) is an American carrier-based fighter/ interceptor designed and produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company.

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