| AR2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| AR2 installation of the Lockheed NF-104A | |
| Type | liquid-fuelled rocket engine |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Rocketdyne |
| First run | 1950s |
| Major applications | Lockheed NF-104A North American F-86F(R) |
The Rocketdyne AR2, also known by the military designation LR42, was a family of liquid-fuelled rocket engines designed and produced in the United States (US) during the 1950s and 1960s.
The Rocketdyne division of North American Aviation developed a relatively small liquid-fuelled rocket engine for thrust augmentation of manned aircraft during the late 1950s. The AR2 is a single-chamber rocket engine burning kerosene (JP-4 or JP-5) jet fuel, oxidised with 90% High Test Peroxide (H2O2 / HTP), allowing the engine to use the same fuel as an aircraft fuel system. [1] The variable-thrust AR2 is a direct development of the fixed thrust AR1, which was given the military designation LR36.
The AR2-3 had variable-thrust and single lever throttle control, regulating flow of oxidiser to the turbo-pump gas-generator and thus flow of propellants to the combustion chamber. [1]
Initial flight trials were carried out attached to the belly of North American F-86F-30-NA Sabre (52-4608 / FU-608) re-designated F-86F(R), boosting performance to a top speed of M1.22 at 60,000 ft (18,288 m). [2]
The AR2-3 was evaluated in 1999 as part of the Future-X Demonstrator Engine project, for possible use in the Boeing X-37 Reusable Upper Stage Vehicle at a thrust of 6,600 lbf (29.34 kN), with a specific impulse of 245 seconds. [3] [4]
Data fromAstronautix : AR2-3 [3] and Aircraft engines of the World 1964/65. [1]
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Media related to Rocketdyne AR2 at Wikimedia Commons