The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was a carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
Variants
XF9F-6
Prototypes built from the F9F-5 Panther, featuring swept-wing design.
F9F-6
Initial production version; redesignated F-9F in 1962.
F9F-6P
Photo-reconnaissance versions; redesignated RF-9J in 1962.
F9F-6PD
Drone director aircraft, converted from F9F-6Ps; redesignated DF-9F in 1962.
F9F-6D
Drone director aircraft, converted from F9F-6s; redesignated DF-9F in 1962.
F9F-6K
Unmanned drone for combat training, converted from F9F-6s; redesignated QF-9F in 1962.
F9F-6K2
An improved version of the F9F-6K target drone; redesignated QF-9G in 1962.
F9F-7
Built with the Allison J33 engine; most were converted to take J48s; redesignated F-9H in 1962.
F9F-8
Longer centre fuselage, strengthened canopy, redesigned wing, increased fuel capacity, and the ability to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles; redesignated F-9J in 1962.
YF9F-8B
Prototype for a single-seat attack-fighter aircraft converted from a F9F-8; later redesignated YAF-9J.
F9F-8B
F9F-8s converted into single-seat attack-fighters; later redesignated AF-9J.
F9F-8P
Photo-reconnaissance versions built from F9F-8s; later redesignated RF-9F.
YF9F-8T
One F9F-8 aircraft converted into a prototype for the F9F-8T training aircraft; later redesignated YTF-9J.
F9F-8T
Two-seat trainers built from F9F-8s; redesignated TF-9J in 1962.
NTF-9J
Two TF-9Js used for special test duties.
YF9F-9
Original designation of the YF11F-1 Tiger prototypes.
First flight was on 30 July 1954; redesignated in April 1955.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
40 ft 11 in (12.47 m)
Wingspan
34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Width
14 ft 2 in (4.32 m) folded (tail plane span)
Height
12 ft 3.5 in (3.747 m)
Height folded
15 ft 10 in (4.8 m) (wing-tips
Wing area
300 sq ft (28 m2)
Aspect ratio
4
Airfoil
NACA 64A010
Empty weight
11,483 lb (5,209 kg)
Empty equipped
12,090 lb (5,484 kg)
Gross weight
15,800 lb (7,167 kg)
Combat weight
16,244 lb (7,368 kg)
Max take-off weight
21,000 lb (9,525 kg) on land
20,000 lb (9,072 kg) from catapult
Maximum landing weight
16,000 lb (7,257 kg) on land
14,000 lb (6,350 kg) arrested landing
Fuel capacity
763 US gal (635 imp gal; 2,890 l) in two fuselage tanks
&
156 US gal (130 imp gal; 590 l) in four wing leading edge tanks; total 919 US gal (765 imp gal; 3,480 l)
Powerplant
1 × Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8 centrifugal-flow turbojet engine, 7,250 lbf (32.2 kN) thrust at 11,000 rpm for take-off / Military power at sea level
5,600 lbf (24.91 kN) at 10,450 rpm maximum continuous at sea level
Performance
Maximum speed
654 mph (1,053 km/h, 568 kn) at sea level at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg) TOW
Cruise speed
541 mph (871 km/h, 470 kn) at 41,200–45,000 ft (12,558–13,716 m)
Stall speed
128 mph (206 km/h, 111 kn) at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg) TOW power off
107 mph (93 kn; 172 km/h) at 15,157 lb (6,875 kg) with approach power
Combat range
293 mi (472 km, 255 nmi) with 1 hour 24 minutes mission time
Service ceiling
44,500 ft (13,600 m)
G limits
+7.5 at 15,800 lb (7,167 kg); +5.5 at MTOW
Rate of climb
6,750 ft/min (34.3 m/s) at sea level at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg)
TOW
Time to altitude
20,000 ft (6,096 m) in 4 minutes at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg)
TOW
30,000 ft (9,144 m) in 6 minutes 48 seconds at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg) TOW
Wing loading
61.5 lb/sq ft (300 kg/m2) at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg) TOW
Take-off run
2,100 ft (640 m) at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg)
TOW in nil wind
1,360 ft (415 m) at 18,450 lb (8,369 kg)
TOW in 29 mph (25 kn; 47 km/h) wind
Armament
Guns
4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) AN/M3 cannon, 190 rounds per gun
