In 1951,
Project Back Breaker is initiated to
test and modify Republic F-84 fighters for the carriage of forthcoming MK 7 and
MK 8 tactical atomic bombs for use in high-speed “intruder” missions. In 1952, Operation Fox Peter One began with the deployment of F-84E Thunderjets modified for in-flight
refueling, flying across the Pacific Ocean and arriving in Japan on 16
July. This operation proved the concept
of rapid, large scale movement of fighter aircraft in support of the long-range
bombers of Strategic Air Command, and both developments were key to the
conceptual development of the forthcoming “strategic fighter,” of which the
F-101A would be the ultimate expression.
In 1953, the modified XF-88B was announced to
the public soon after it was turned over to NACA for research.
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