Supermarine Type 553
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| Supermarine Type 553 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Supersonic research aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Supermarine |
| Status | abandoned |
| Number built | 0 |
The Supermarine Type 553 was a British Mach 2 research aircraft project from 1953 that never proceeded beyond the initial proposal.
The difficulty of achieving Mach 2 flight was realised during the development of the 545, which led to Vickers-Supermarine proposing the 553 with a swept wing that would reduce aerodynamic drag. It was to have been built using aluminium alloy which limited the top speed, and the Air Ministry wanted a twin engine design in which alternative engines could readily be installed, and 553 development was abandoned. Lack of endurance was also cited as a problem. The Bristol 188 was developed instead.