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Post by Cougar on Apr 23, 2004 2:40:29 GMT 9
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Post by Jim on Apr 23, 2004 3:10:10 GMT 9
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Post by Cougar on Apr 23, 2004 10:06:29 GMT 9
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Post by Col Paul Seymour on Aug 18, 2007 13:44:36 GMT 9
launcht "Ice Cube" was a high-altitude "snap-up" intercept evaluation conducted by F-106A interceptors stationed at George Air Force Base in 1962 (approximate date) to determine the ability of the F-106 to intercept and destroy extremely hi-flying aircraft.
The F-106 pilots were outfitted with capstan partial pressure suits. They flew a full-afterburner profile to approximately 45,000 feet, accelerated to Mach 2.0 or greater, acquired the high flying target (Lockheed U-2 aircraft), initiated a high-G pull-up once they were locked onto the target with their radar, and climbed until “simulated launch” of the MB-1 nuclear rocket weapon.
During the “pop-up”, they experienced “afterburner blow-out” at about 65,000 feet, and engine “flame-out” at about 72,000 feet. When the engine quit, their pressure suits inflated, and they experienced nearly uncontrollable flight. When the nose finally dropped below the horizon and the airspeed began to climb, they regained marginal control of the aircraft. However, flying the aircraft with a fully inflated pressure suit proved to be extremely difficult. After descending to about 25,000 feet, the pilots initiated an “air start” on the engine, hoping like hell that it re-lit.
All of the F-106 “Ice Cube” flights were successful in restarting the engine, and approach and landing was without incident. Nonetheless, the “snap-ups” were all planned to occurred near-or-over Edwards Air Force Base in California, where there were long runways and ample “dry lakes” to land in the event a “dead stick” landing was required.
The “Ice Cube” tests proved the “reasonably effective” ability of the F-106 to intercept and “kill” an extremely high-flying hi-speed aircraft, although intercept conditions needed to be extremely precise.
I flew on about four of these test missions, could see the “curvature of the earth” at maximum altitude, and witnessed the totally black sky above with stars during the daylight missions. It was awesome, and one of the greatest thrills of my flying career!
Colonel Paul A. Seymour, USAF (Ret)
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Black Bart
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Post by Black Bart on Aug 19, 2007 4:28:36 GMT 9
I was there at the time and Col. Seymore is right.
I don't know if this was project "Ice Cube" but we also flew against the B-57 with 11 ft extensions on each wing. One day I was checking out this monster and it had antennas all over the A/C. The 57 crew chief opened the bomb bay and it was full of ECM gear.
Later we also flew with the "Moon Suit" that had the portable air conditioner. I was told that every Six pilot would have one. Thank God that never happened. Can you imagine sitting Alert in a pressure suit?
Black Bart
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Post by pat perry on Aug 19, 2007 5:25:09 GMT 9
During the “pop-up”, they experienced “afterburner blow-out” at about 65,000 feet, and engine “flame-out” at about 72,000 feet. When the engine quit, their pressure suits inflated, and they experienced nearly uncontrollable flight. When the nose finally dropped below the horizon and the airspeed began to climb, they regained marginal control of the aircraft. However, flying the aircraft with a fully inflated pressure suit proved to be extremely difficult. After descending to about 25,000 feet, the pilots initiated an “air start” on the engine, hoping like hell that it re-lit. I flew on about four of these test missions, could see the “curvature of the earth” at maximum altitude, and witnessed the totally black sky above with stars during the daylight missions. It was awesome, and one of the greatest thrills of my flying career! Colonel Paul A. Seymour, USAF (Ret) Hey Col. Seymour. How high did you get before she nosed over. Must of had a lot of speed going when she flamed out at 72K. Thanks, Pat Perry 456th FIS |
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Aug 19, 2007 9:20:47 GMT 9
launcht "Ice Cube" was a high-altitude "snap-up" intercept evaluation conducted by F-106A interceptors stationed at George Air Force Base in 1962 (approximate date) to determine the ability of the F-106 to intercept and destroy extremely hi-flying aircraft. The F-106 pilots were outfitted with capstan partial pressure suits. They flew a full-afterburner profile to approximately 45,000 feet, accelerated to Mach 2.0 or greater, acquired the high flying target (Lockheed U-2 aircraft), initiated a high-G pull-up once they were locked onto the target with their radar, and climbed until “simulated launch” of the MB-1 nuclear rocket weapon. During the “pop-up”, they experienced “afterburner blow-out” at about 65,000 feet, and engine “flame-out” at about 72,000 feet. When the engine quit, their pressure suits inflated, and they experienced nearly uncontrollable flight. When the nose finally dropped below the horizon and the airspeed began to climb, they regained marginal control of the aircraft. However, flying the aircraft with a fully inflated pressure suit proved to be extremely difficult. After descending to about 25,000 feet, the pilots initiated an “air start” on the engine, hoping like hell that it re-lit. All of the F-106 “Ice Cube” flights were successful in restarting the engine, and approach and landing was without incident. Nonetheless, the “snap-ups” were all planned to occurred near-or-over Edwards Air Force Base in California, where there were long runways and ample “dry lakes” to land in the event a “dead stick” landing was required. The “Ice Cube” tests proved the “reasonably effective” ability of the F-106 to intercept and “kill” an extremely high-flying hi-speed aircraft, although intercept conditions needed to be extremely precise. I flew on about four of these test missions, could see the “curvature of the earth” at maximum altitude, and witnessed the totally black sky above with stars during the daylight missions. It was awesome, and one of the greatest thrills of my flying career! Colonel Paul A. Seymour, USAF (Ret) I think these interesting, yet unusual and sometimes forgotten, type of projects the F-106 was involved with are worthy of mention on the website. I already have some of the major projects like Eclipse, but I'm going to start adding pages for these types as well to help round out the entire history of the Six. Feel free to pass on any other info of this or other special projects. I just added this one under Special Interests. It's actual page is www.f-106deltadart.com/project_ice_cube.htm |
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Does anybody know anything about "Project Ice Cube", 
