The X-2 was a swept-wing, rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly faster than three times the speed of sound. Built by Bell Aircraft Co.
for NACA (now NASA), it was flown to investigate the problems of aerodynamic heating as well as stability and control effectiveness
at high altitudes and speeds in excess of Mach 3. There were two X-2s built. It was air-launched from a modified
Boeing B-50 Superfortress bomber. The X-2 #1 made its first unpowered glide flight on Aug. 5 1954. This aircraft made a total of seventeen
flights before it was lost on Sept. 27 1956. Its pilot, Capt. Milburn Apt, USAF, had flown to a record speed of Mach 3.2 or 2,094 mph
thereby becoming the first person to exceed Mach 3.
The X-2 #2 was lost in an inflight explosion while at the Bell plant during captive flight trials.