Aerfer Sagittario 2

Sagittario 2
Sagittario 2 MM560 in Italian Air Force markings at the 1957 Paris Air Salon
Role	Prototype fighter
Manufacturer	Ambrosini
First flight	19 May 1956
Primary user	Italian Air Force
Number built	2
Developed from	Ambrosini Sagittario
Developed into	Aerfer Ariete

The Aerfer Sagittario 2 (Italian for Archer) was a prototype all-metal single-seat lightweight fighter aircraft built in Italy by Aerfer, intended to serve as an interceptor or light tactical support aircraft. First flown in 1956, it became the first Italian aircraft to break the sound barrier in controlled flight when it reached Mach 1.1 during a dive from 13,725 m (45,000 ft).

The Sagittario 2 was based on the earlier Sagittario, which was itself a development of the S.7 piston-engined training aircraft that went into service with the Italian Air Force in small numbers.

A small all-metal 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. The cockpit was moved forward of its position on the Sagittario's predecessors, and equipped with a bubble canopy. A tricycle undercarriage was fitted, with the nose gear retracting under the engine.

Development continued as the Ariete.

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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