Where and what?

[MReyn24050]

I found this photograph on the web. Can you tell me where it was taken and what the set up is?
Mel
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/sabamel/Whereandwhat.jpg

[con-pilot]

Well, at first look the aircraft appears for be a modified F-18 on a rocket track somewhere in the US. It is interesting to note that rather than solid fuel rockets for propulsion there are non-afterburner (reheats) jet engines for acceleration.

A couple of more things regarding the aircraft is if it is a F-18 the cockpit area looks to wide, as if side by side seating and no horizontal stabilizers/elevators.

It will interesting to find out more.

Perhaps a test bed for some new type of very high speed crew escape system?

[evansb]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/Lakehurst.jpg

Photo taken at the U.S. Naval Air Test Facility (NATF) in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The high-speed rail track facility was built on the west side of the Lakehurst base, sometime between 1958-60. Primary Navy use of tests is wire rope acceptance tests, barricade testing, and arresting gear evaluation and certification. The four J57 jet engines can propel the aircraft at speeds up to 250 knots. Note the A-3 positioned on the track.

Mel, your photo appears to be of a F/A-18, or perhaps a YF-17, taken in the mid-late 1970s.

[con-pilot]

Thank you Evan, I have flown over that place for many years and had no idea what that was used for. Mystery solved. :ok:

[MReyn24050]

Bri. Thanks for that, I bet it was fun to work there :). I wonder if they had races :) :)
Mel