Aerfer Sagittario 2
Aerfer / SAI Ambrosini · Italy · first flew 1956 · fighter
The Aerfer Sagittario 2 was an Italian experimental swept-wing jet fighter that became the first Italian-designed aircraft to exceed the speed of sound in a dive, representing Italy's entry into supersonic aeronautical research. It was a small, sleek aircraft developed as a private venture to explore high-speed flight.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Italian supersonic research fighter prototype
- Very thin swept wings with no leading-edge devices
- First Italian aircraft to exceed Mach 1 in a dive
A compact, sleek swept-wing single-seat jet with a nose intake, very thin wing section, and minimal fuselage cross-section; its small size and clean design distinguish it from contemporary fighter prototypes.
Specifications
- The Aerfer Sagittario 2 has a length of 9.5 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.5 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1006 km/h (625 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Aerfer and SAI Ambrosini as a follow-on to the earlier Sagittario 1, the Sagittario 2 first flew in 1956 and achieved supersonic speed in a dive. It remained a prototype only, but its success contributed to confidence in Italian jet design capabilities and led to the Ariete programme.
Variants
A single prototype; directly led to the Aerfer Ariete as a follow-on development.
Where you'll see it
Never entered production or operational service; evaluated only as a research prototype by Italian authorities.
Related aircraft
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