The X-176 Pratt & Whitney turbojet engine was the prototype of the famous J57 series, the first successful twin-spool turbine engine and the first production aircraft engine in the 10,000 lb (44,480 N) thrust class. The early 1948 design was superceded by the "wasp-waisted" configuration and retired in August 1950.
Leonard S. Hobbs, Vice President for Engineering of United Aircraft Corporation, was awarded the 1953 Collier Trophy for his leading part in conceiving and developing the J57.
Among the military aircraft powered by the J57 were the Boeing B-52, North American F-100 Super Sabre, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Douglas F4D Skyray, Douglas A3D Skywarrior, Ling-Temco-Vought F8U Crusader, Lockheed U-2 , and Northrop SM-62 Snark. The JT3 commercial version of the engine powered the Boeing 707-120, Boeing 720, and Douglas DC-8-10.
This engine powered the F8U-1 Crusader, the first supersonic U.S. Navy carrier-based aircraft.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.