View source for Lockheed CL-1200 Lancer

{{Short description|American fighter proposal}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
  |name = CL-1200 Lancer / X-27
  |image = X-27 mockup.jpg
  |caption = X-27 mock-up in a Lockheed Corporation hangar
  |type = Interceptor
  |national_origin=United States
  |manufacturer = [[Lockheed Corporation]]
  |designer 
  |first_flight =
  |introduction =
  |retired =
  |number_built =
  |status = Cancelled at mock-up stage
  |primary_user =
  |more_users =
  |developed_from = [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]]
  |variants =
}}

The '''Lockheed CL-1200 Lancer''' was a late 1960s company-funded proposal for a fighter aircraft based on the [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]]. The CL-1200 was conceived and marketed mainly for and to non-US military services, as an export product. As such it would have competed with combat-proven designs like the [[Dassault Mirage III]], [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]], Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-21]], and [[Northrop F-5|Northrop F-5E Tiger II]]. The CL-1200 competed unsuccessfully against proposed [[fourth generation fighter|fourth generation]] designs, under the US government's [[Lightweight Fighter program]], which would eventually result in the [[General Dynamics F-16]] and [[Northrop F-17 Cobra]] (precursor of the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18]]).

Lockheed sought to capitalize on its F-104 production experience, and commonality of parts and systems. It could minimize expenses by reusing tooling, jigs and existing facilities. Lockheed was also experienced in [[consortium]] production and further hoped to continue this arrangement with the CL-1200. It was projected that CL-1200 deliveries could begin in 1972.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 175 }}

Borrowing heavily from the F-104 design the new type featured a new high-mounted, increased span wing and low-mounted, enlarged tailplanes. Both features were to improve flight handling characteristics and short-field performance. The CL1200-1 would use an uprated version of the F-104 engine, the [[General Electric J79]] with a later variant known as the CL1200-2 to be powered by a [[Pratt and Whitney]] [[TF-30]] turbofan.

The CL-1200-1 was entered in the International Fighter Aircraft competition. Since the Northrop F-5 was named the winner in November 1970, the primary market for the Lancer was lost, and the project was terminated with no aircraft completed.

The '''X-27''' was an experimental designation assigned by the USAF{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 175 }} to a proposed high-performance research aircraft derived from the CL-1200 Lancer project. The X-27 was to have tested advanced technology high-performance engines and equipment. Again, the X-27 project did not proceed beyond the [[mock-up]] stage.

The CL-1200-2 (sometimes referred to as the CL-1600) was a proposed development of the X-27 for entry into the Lightweight Fighter Competition in 1972. The CL-1200-2 was not proceeded with when General Dynamics and Northrop designs were given contracts for the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|YF-16]] and [[Northrop YF-17|YF-17]]. The design was similar to the X-27 but had round intakes with [[inlet cone|shock cones]] and a different fin.{{sfnp|Buttler|2007|pages=195, 231}}

A further variant proposed for the [[United States Navy]] was designated the '''CL-1400''' or '''CL-1400N'''. It was based on the forward fuselage, intake and wing of the CL-1200-2 with the rear fuselage of the X-27.{{sfnp|Buttler|2007|pages=195, 231}}

==Design==
Intended as a successor to the F-104, the Lancer was another product from Lockheed's [[Skunk Works]]. [[Clarence Johnson|Clarence L "Kelly" Johnson]] headed the department during this period, while Skunk Works designers carried out all [[aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] studies and [[wind tunnel]] testing on the type.

===Airframe===
The CL-1200 would use the basic F-104 [[fuselage]] structure, increased in length to provide 46% extra internal fuel capacity. The fuselage extension consisted of a {{convert|30|in|cm|abbr=on}} plug between the standard F-104 front and center fuselage sections. Unlike the F-104, the rear fuselage section was to be constructed using [[titanium alloy]] for the frames, [[longeron]]s and skinning around the jet exhaust. The major revision of the design was a shoulder-mounted wing of 53% larger area{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 176 }} which was also moved further aft. The new wing had a [[wingspan|span]] of {{convert|29|ft|m|abbr=on}} and still featured leading and trailing edge [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]] but gained new [[leading edge extensions]], while the 10° [[Dihedral (aircraft)#Anhedral|anhedral]] of the Starfighter was retained. The flap system was designed to be either manual or automatic in operation. The system configured them as required for [[load factor (aeronautics)|load factor]], [[airspeed]] and [[altitude]]. The new inner wing panels featured an additional trailing edge flap which doubled the area in comparison to the F-104. This would have improved short-field performance and reduced landing speed. The [[blown flap|boundary layer control system]] of the F-104 was deemed unnecessary due to the increased flap area, and was omitted. The outer wing panels were virtually identical to those of the F-104.

The tailplane was increased in area, split into two separate surfaces, and moved from atop the vertical fin to the lower rear fuselage to avoid the downwash effects from the high-set wing at high [[Angle of attack|angles of attack]] which could have resulted in a [[deep stall]] condition. The repositioning of the tailplane was also a measure to eliminate the Starfighter's known [[pitch-up]] problems. For commonality the [[landing gear]], [[hydraulic]] and electrical systems remained essentially identical to the F-104. The strengthened [[windshield]] from the [[Aeritalia F-104S|F-104S]] was to be used to withstand the aerodynamic heating of flight at higher [[Mach number]]s. A two-seat trainer version was planned, as was a reconnaissance and all-weather interceptor version. This would have been achieved by using the existing forward fuselage sections and [[avionics]] from the TF-104G, RF-104G and F-104S.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 177 }}

===Powerplant===
The initial variant of the Lancer was to be the CL-1200-1, powered by a single [[General Electric J79|J79-GE-19]] turbojet which was an uprated version of the engine used in the F-104. The second, more advanced variant, the CL-1200-2, was to have redesigned center and rear fuselage sections that could accommodate a modern [[turbofan]] engine as an improvement on the J79 [[turbojet]]. This turbofan engine was to be the Pratt & Whitney [[Pratt & Whitney TF30|TF30-P-100]] as used in the [[General Dynamics F-111|F-111F]]. The TF-30-P-100 would have provided a 60&nbsp;percent increase in thrust at maximum power. The air intakes were located in the same position as on the F-104, but they were to employ variable [[inlet cones|shock cones]] with four-inch movement in place of the F-104's fixed cones to optimize engine performance over a wide speed range.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 176 }}

===Armament===
The Lancer was intended to retain the 20&nbsp;mm General Electric [[M61 Vulcan|M61A1]] cannon as its primary armament, although a 30&nbsp;mm [[DEFA cannon|DEFA]] gun could be fitted as an alternative. For the ground-attack role nine weapons stations were provided: one under the fuselage, three under each wing, and one at each wingtip. Two [[Nord Aviation]] [[AS-30L|AS-30]] missiles could be carried on the inner underwing pylons, while up to 12,000&nbsp;lb (5,450&nbsp;kg) of ordnance could be carried on short-range ground-attack missions. Air-to-air missiles designed to be carried were [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] (maximum of four) and [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] (typically, six to be carried with a maximum of 10 possible). External fuel tanks of the same type and capacity as the F-104 could be carried on the wing tips and on underwing pylons to increase ferry range.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 178 }}

===Performance===
The estimated [[gross weight]] was 35,000&nbsp;lb (16,000&nbsp;kg) with maximum external load, and a top speed of 1,700&nbsp;mph (2,720&nbsp;km/h, Mach&nbsp;2.5) at 35,000&nbsp;ft (10,700&nbsp;m) was envisaged. The takeoff run was estimated to be 1,450&nbsp;ft (440&nbsp;m) in the intercept configuration; only 52% of that required for the F-104G with a similar improvement on landing performance due to the slower approach speed. Lockheed's chief designer [[Clarence Johnson|"Kelly" Johnson]] projected that the CL-1200-2 would be superior in air-to-air combat to any known fighter.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|pages= 176,178 }}

===Cost===
Lockheed carried out a comprehensive survey and believed that there was a worldwide market for an advanced design, low-price fighter aircraft over the decade of the 1970s.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 175 }} Other aircraft manufacturers also recognized the opportunity and this was the reason for the fierce competition for sales at the time. Lockheed calculations showed that even a 10% share of this market (750 aircraft) would be a worthwhile venture. They further reasoned that development costs for the Lancer would be approximately 70.5 million US Dollars (1970). Unit costs depended on the size of the production run with $2.7 million being quoted in the case of a production run of 500 aircraft and $2.4 million for twice this number.

Lockheed researched operating costs for the first 10 years of operation. This included the provision of spares, ground equipment, technical manuals, and both maintenance and flight training. For a production run of 500 aircraft, the support cost over 10 years was given as $330 million, reducing to $180 million if 1,000 Lancers were built.

Operating costs over 10 years were also calculated. By adding the total of all these costs Lockheed claimed that their product offered significant savings over both the [[Dassault Mirage F-1]] and the [[F4 Phantom II|F-4F Phantom]] when their equivalent costs were shown.{{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 176 }}

==Project cancellations==

===CL-1200-1===
In November 1970 the Northrop F-5-21 was named the winner of the International Fighter Aircraft competition. After that, no interest was shown in the CL-1200 by existing F-104 operators and the project was terminated.

===CL-704 VTOL===
Another cancelled Starfighter derivative, pre-dating the CL-1200 Lancer by eight years and not directly related, was the CL-704 [[VTOL]] strike and reconnaissance aircraft originally proposed in 1962 as a joint venture between Lockheed and [[Short Brothers|Short Brothers and Harland Ltd]]. Designed purely for VTOL operations, it would have seven vertically mounted [[Rolls-Royce RB181]] lift engines in each of the enlarged wingtip pods. The main forward propulsion was provided by a [[Rolls-Royce Spey|Rolls-Royce RB.168R]] mounted in the fuselage. The project was cancelled due to the numerous complexities involved and the highly advanced development of the [[Hawker P.1127]].{{sfnp|Bowman|2000|page= 96 }}

A larger-winged F-104 variant was proposed as an alternative to the MRCA ([[Multi-Role Combat Aircraft]]) then being designed as a multi-national European project. Nothing ever emerged, and the MRCA eventually became the [[Panavia Tornado]].{{sfnp|Bowman|2000|page= 96 }}

==X-27 development==
The USAF planned to buy at least one experimental Lancer under the designation X-27 (called the CL-1600 by Lockheed){{sfnp|Pace|1992|page= 121 }} for [[Mach number|Mach]]&nbsp;2.6 testing. The X-27 was to be similar in overall configuration to the Lancer, but was to feature modified engine air intakes of rectangular form. The X-27 program received almost no [[Congress of the United States|U.S. Congressional]] or [[US Air Force|Air Force]] support. Due to the lack of funding, no flight-capable aircraft were built. One full-scale mockup was built, and up to three fuselages had been converted before project termination.

==Specifications (CL-1200-2 / X-27)==
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units? = kts
|ref={{sfnp|Swanborough|1971|page= 179 }} NB: These are estimated figures given by Lockheed as neither type flew.
|crew= One
|length m= 17.45 or 16.2
|span m= 8.89 or 8.7 
|height m= 5.23 or 4.9 
|wing area sqft= 300 
|wing area sqm=  28 
|airfoil= Bi-convex
|empty weight lb= 17,885 or 17,250 
|empty weight kg=  8,112 or 7,800 
|gross weight lb= 24,385 or 32,500 
|gross weight kg= 11,061 or 14,700 
|max takeoff weight lb= 35,000 
|max takeoff weight kg= 15,900 
|eng1 name= [[Pratt & Whitney TF30]]-P-100
|eng1 type=[[turbofan]]
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 lbf= 15,000 
|eng1 kn= 66.7 
|eng1 lbf-ab= 25,000 
|eng1 kn-ab= 111.2 
|max speed kts= 1,477 or 1,260
|max speed mach=2.57 or 2.19
|max speed kmh=2,720 or 2,330
|max speed note= at {{cvt|35,000|ft|m}} 
|combat range nmi= 367 
|combat range note= with 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) bombload 
|range mi=2100
|ceiling ft= 60000 
|climb rate ftmin= 60,000
|climb rate ms= 300
|more performance=
* '''Takeoff run:''' 1,450 ft (440 m)
* '''Landing run:''' 2,060 ft (930 m)
|armament= '''CL-1200-2 only:'''
* 1 × 20 mm General Electric [[M61 Vulcan]] cannon with 725 rounds, or
* 1 × 30 mm DEFA cannon with 400 rounds
* Up to {{convert|12000|lb}} [[Aircraft ordnance|ordnance]]
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]]
|similar aircraft= * [[Dassault Mirage F1]]
|lists=
* [[List of experimental aircraft]]
* [[List of Lockheed aircraft]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book
  |title=Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
  |last=Bowman  |first=Martin W.
  |year=2000
  |publisher=Crowood Press  |location=Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK
  |isbn=1-86126-314-7
  }}
* {{Cite book
  |title=American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945-1978
  |last=Buttler  |first=Tony
  |year=2007
  |publisher=Midland Publishing  |location=Hinckley, UK
  |isbn=978-1-85780-264-1
  }}
* {{Cite book
  |title=Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
  |last=Pace  |first=Steve
  |year=1992
  |publisher=Motorbooks International  |location=Osceola, Wisconsin
  |isbn=0-87938-608-8
  }}
* {{Cite book
  |title=F-104 Starfighter
  |last=Reed  |first=Arthur
  |series=Modern Combat Aircraft 
  |volume=9
  |year=1981
  |publisher=Ian Allan   |location=London
  |isbn=0-7110-1089-7
  }}
* {{Cite book
  |title=Air Enthusiast, Volume One
  |last=Swanborough  |first=Gordon
  |year=1971
  |publisher=Pilot Press  |location=London
  |isbn=0-385-08171-5
  }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lockheed X-27}}
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/x-27-side.jpg Photo of CL-1200 Lancer]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060620153342/http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/database/aircraft/getimage.htm?id=11903 Further photo of CL-1200 Lancer]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/x-27.jpg Photo of X-27 mock-up showing USAF markings]
* [https://history.nasa.gov/monograph31.pdf American X-Vehicles]

{{F-104 family}}
{{Lockheed}}
{{X-planes}}

[[Category:Lockheed aircraft|CL-1200]]
[[Category:Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]]
[[Category:Unflown aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]