Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Bell X-16
Category
Country
Production
1953–1956
Quantity
28
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT · EARLY COLD WAR
22
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
76
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
- Base AirframeBell Model 67
- Mission Typehigh altitude reconnaissance
- Flight Crew1
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney J57-PW-37A
- Number of Engines2
▣Performance2MOD.2
- Service Ceiling21,894.394 m
- Range5,309.684 km
◇Mission Systems7MOD.7
- Primary Sensor / Radaraerial reconnaissance suite
- AESA RadarNo
- Rotodome / AEW AntennaNo
- SIGINT / ELINT SuiteYes
- Magnetic Anomaly DetectorNo
- Sonobuoy CapabilityNo
- Self-Protection SuiteNo
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
- TorpedoesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Weapons Payload0 kg
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length18.288 m
- Wingspan34.747 m
- Max Takeoff Weight16,385.846 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built28
- Operators0
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1956
- Production Start1953
- Production End1956
- Operational Statuscancelled
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1953Production started
- 1956Production ended
73
years in service
3
years in production
28
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT RANKING Intelligence / Recon Aircraft · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
112INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT22EARLY COLD WAR · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT2184UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS153PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theIntelligence / Recon Aircraftcategory.
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📚 Sources