English Electric Lightning - Specifications (Lightning F.6)

Specifications (Lightning F.6)

Data from Pilots Notes and Operating Data Manual for Lightning F.6 (unless otherwise noted)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 55 ft 3 in (16.8 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 10 in (10.6 m)
• Height: 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m)
• Wing area: 474.5 ft² (44.08 m²)
• Empty weight: 31,068 lb (14,092 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 45,750 lb (20,752 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Avon 301R afterburning turbojets
  • Dry thrust: 12,530 lbf (55.74 kN) each
  • Thrust with afterburner: 16,000 lbf (71.17 kN) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.0 (1,300 mph, 2,100 km/h) at 36,000 ft. 700 KIAS at lower altitude
• Range: 850 mi (1,370 km) Supersonic intercept radius: 155 mi (250 km)
• Ferry range: 920 mi (800 NM, 1,660 km) 1,270 mi (1,100 NM, 2,040 km) with ferry tanks
• Service ceiling: 54,000 ft (16,000 m) zoom ceiling >70,000 ft
• Rate of climb: 20,000 ft/min (100 m/s)
• Wing loading: 76 lb/ft² (370 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.78

Armament

• Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannons
• Hardpoints: 2× under-fuselage for mounting air-to-air missiles, 2x overwing pylon stations for 260 gal ferry tanks and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Missiles: 2 De Havilland Firestreak or 2× Hawker Siddeley Red Top