About This File
One of the most heavily armed fighter aircraft, the F-89 was the backbone of
the North American Air Defense Command for more than 17 years.
The F-89 was the first multi-seat, all-weather jet interceptor. It was the first
aircraft designed to carry an all-rocket armament and the first to carry the Hughes Falcon
air-to-air guided missile.Northrop was awarded a contract May 3, 1946, to build two
prototypes designated XP-89. The XP-89 rolled out of its California plant in the summer of 1948.