The F-102 was the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the Air Force's first operational delta-wing aircraft. It was developed from the XF-92A, and it was the first Air Force aircraft program to have an integrated weapons system, as the fire-control radar and the missile were both made by Hughes. At peak deployment, there were more than 25 squadrons of F-102s. After the prototype flew, it was readily apparent that the original design was seriously flawed and the aircraft would not routinely reach supersonic speeds. Convair embarked on a major redesign program and, using the "area rule" principle developed by noted aerodynamicist Richard T. Whitcomb, produced the revised prototype after only 117 days. With its pinched or "Coke bottle" waist, the revised design corrected the problems. The F-102 was the first Air Force fighter whose primary armament was guided missiles. F-102s were sent to South Vietnam, initially for air defense, but later flew escort for B-52s, and one was shot down by a MiG-21 on February 3, 1968. F-102s were also stationed in Greenland and Europe, in addition to the continental US and Alaska. Some of the Air Force planes were transferred to the Greek and Turkish air forces. The TF-102As were the operational trainers and had side-by-side seating. After being withdrawn from service, the F-102s were converted into target drones by Sperry Flight Systems under a program called Pave Deuce. The last F-102 was phased out of Air National Guard service in 1976.
| Contractors: | Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corp. (later Convair Division of General Dynamics Corp.) |
| Locations Built: | San Diego, Calif. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | 1,000 (1,000) |
| First Flight: | October 24, 1953 |
| First Flight Model: | YF-102A |
| First Flight Location: | Edwards AFB, Calif. |
| First Flight Pilot: | Richard L. "Dick" Johnson |
| Models/Variants: | YF-102A. F-102A, TF-102A. QF-102A, PQM-102A |
| Powerplant: | One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-23 turbojet of 16,000 lb of thrust in afterburner |
| Wingspan: | 39 ft 1 in. |
| Length: | 68 ft 3 in (incl pitot boom) |
| Height: | 21 ft 2 in. |
| Weight: | 31,500 lb gross |
| Armament: | Two AIM-26 (nuclear warhead–tipped Falcon missile derivative; one W-54 nuclear warhead in the low kiloton range yield) or one AIM-26 and two AIM-4 Falcon missiles or six AIM-4 Falcon missiles and 24 2.75-in Mighty Mouse folding fin aerial rockets (FFARs) in an internal bay |
| Accommodation: | Pilot only (pilot and student, side by side in TF-102) |
| Cost: | $1.2 million |
| Max. Speed: | 825 mph |
| Range: | Approx 1,000 mi. |
| Ceiling: | 54,000 ft. |
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