Convair XF-92A

The Convair XF-92A holds the distinction of being the first American jet aircraft to successfully test the delta-wing configuration, with its first flight in 1948. Delta-wing research in Europe, particularly by Alexander Lippisch in Germany during World War II, had preceded it, but the XF-92A was the first to demonstrate the concept in powered flight in the United States.

The XF-92A was powered by an Allison J33-A-21 turbojet engine, which produced approximately 4,250 pounds of thrust with afterburner. This relatively low thrust made the aircraft underpowered and difficult to fly, particularly during takeoff.

The XF-92A itself never entered production, but the delta-wing data it generated directly informed Convair's subsequent designs, including the F-102 Delta Dagger, the F-106 Delta Dart, and the B-58 Hustler bomber. Convair's chief designer, Edgar Schmued, used the research to make the delta wing a Convair signature.

The XF-92A was built by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, commonly known as Convair, under a contract with the U.S. Air Force and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Convair conducted the initial flight testing at Muroc Dry Lake (now Edwards Air Force Base) in California.