Beginning in mid-1947, the Fairchild J44 (commercial designation FT-101E) turbojet was created in rigid conformance with the requirements of the Navy missile that it was to power. First run in August 1948, the J44 made its first flight in 1950 powering the Fairchild Petrel air-to-underwater torpedo-carrying missile. The J44 was also selected to power the Ryan high-speed Firebee target drone, which first flew in 1951. Both vehicles became operational in the mid-1950s; but, by the late 1950s, the J44 in was phased out of both the Firebee and the Petrel.

The J44 was qualified for use in manned aircraft in 1955, becoming the first jet engine in its power and weight class to receive an Approved Type Certificate. It powered the Bell Model 65 VTOL Air Test Vehicle, was mounted atop a Fairchild C-82 aircraft to provide takeoff boost thrust, and was also mounted on each wing tip of a Fairchild C-123B to improve take-off and climb performance.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1958 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 4,448 N (1,000 lb) at 15,780 rpm Compressor: Single-stage mixed-flow Combustor: Through-flow annular Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 168 kg (370 lb) Dimensions Dimensions for J44-R-3: Length 230 cm (90.4 in.), Diameter 61.7 cm (24.3 in.)
 Inventory Number A19731581000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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