Notes: The X-3 made its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base on Oct. 20, 1952. It first flew supersonically in June 1953.

This research aircraft would fly by taking off from the ground, not dropped from a "mother ship". The data obtained from the X-3 program was used in the development of the F-104, X-15, SR-71 and other high performance aircraft that came after the X-3.

Span: 22 ft. 8 in.
Length: 66 ft. 10 in.
Height: 12 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 22,400 lbs. maximum
Engines: Two Westinghouse J-34s of 3,370 lbs. thrust each (4,900 lbs. thrust with afterburner)

Maximum speed: Designed for Mach 2
Service ceiling: 38,000 ft.