Saunders Roe SR.53 XD145

Saunders Roe SR.53

Saunders Roe SR.53

The Saunders Roe SR.53 was a dual powered rocket / jet interceptor developed during the 1950s for the Royal Air Force. The SR.53 was designed to climb rapidly to intercept bombers, using its rocket engine and then return to base with its jet. Two prototypes were built, one of which was destroyed during testing.

The follow-on project, the Saunders Roe SR.177, with a radar and more powerful engines was cancelled in 1957 when the first prototype was 90% complete.