Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1958–
Quantity
5
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
55
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1958
- Crew1
- Primary RoleFleet defense interceptor
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney J75-P-5A
- Engine ModelPratt & Whitney J75-P-5A
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)73.4
- Thrust (afterburner, each)131.2
- Thrust-to-Weight0.97
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel13,234 kg
▣Performance7MOD.7
- Top Speed2,538 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2.39 Mach
- Cruise Speed925.92 km/h
- Service Ceiling19,812 m
- Ferry Range3,291.004 km
- Combat Radius1,040 km
- Rate of Climb165.1 m/s
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length17.678 m
- Wingspan11.887 m
- Height4.877 m
- Wing Area41.806
- Empty Weight9,915.696 kg
- Loaded Weight14,660.352 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight17,586.072 kg
◆Armament7MOD.7
- Hardpoints0
- Internal Gun4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannon (planned; never installed)
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APQ-50
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteNo
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built5
- Operators2
- Variants0
▲Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1958
- Operational StatusCanceled
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1958Production started
68
years in service
5
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
56AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS4EARLY COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS1073UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS590PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources