SNCASO SO.9000 Trident
Sud-Ouest (SNCASO) · France · first flew 1953 · fighter
The SNCASO SO.9000 Trident was a French experimental mixed-power interceptor that combined wingtip-mounted Viper turbojets with a central rocket motor for high-speed dash capability. It achieved Mach 1.6 in tests but the programme was not developed to production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × rocket, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Very narrow fuselage and delta wing design |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French mixed-power (turbojet + rocket) experimental interceptor
- Wingtip-mounted turbojets with central rocket motor
- Very narrow fuselage and delta wing design
Immediately distinguished by turbojets mounted in pods at the wingtips, a slender fuselage with a central rocket exhausted at the tail, and pure delta planform with no tail surfaces.
Specifications
- The SNCASO SO.9000 Trident has a length of 12.7 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.98 m (23 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2092 km/h (1300 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the early 1950s as France explored various approaches to high-performance interception, the Trident used the novel layout of turbojets at the wingtips (for take-off and cruise) combined with a central liquid-fuel rocket for high-altitude dash. The aircraft was extremely fast for its era but the complex mixed propulsion system was impractical for service, and it was cancelled in favour of the more conventional Mirage series.
Variants
Three prototypes in the SO.9000 series were built with progressive changes; the SO.9050 Trident II was a refined follow-on.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; all aircraft were test vehicles expended in the flight development programme.
Related aircraft
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