The Aerfer Sagittario 2 (Italian: archer) was a prototype fighter aircraft built in Italy in 1956. It became the first Italian aircraft to break the sound barrier in controlled flight (albeit in a dive).

A small aircraft, the Sagittario 2 had its jet engine mounted in the nose, with the exhaust underneath the mid-fuselage. The wing and tail surfaces were highly-swept and, unusually for a jet aircraft, it was equipped with tailwheel undercarriage.

Since Aerfer did not built an earlier "Sagittario", the "2" designation seems to refer to the Reggiane Re.2005 fighter of World War II that was given this name. The Sagittario's successor, the Ariete, was also named after a Reggiane design.

Specifications (Sagittario 2)

General characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Length: 9.50 m (31 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in)
• Height: m ( ft)
• Wing area: 14.5 m² (156 ft²)
• Empty: 2,300 kg (5,060 lb)
• Loaded: 3,300 kg (7,260 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Rolls-Royce Derwent 9 turbojet, 16.2 kN (3,593 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,050 km/h (656 mph)
• Range: 765 km (478 miles)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,360 ft)
• Rate of climb: 2,438 m/min (7,997 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 228 kg/m² (47 lb/ft²)
• Thrust-to-weight: 0.49 lbf/lb (4.9 N/kg)

Armament

2 x 30 mm cannons

Related content

Related development: Aerfer Arete - Aerfer Leone

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: