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The Aerfer Sagittario 2 (Italian for sagittarius) was a prototype all-metal single-seat lightweight jet-powered fighter aircraft designed and produced by the Italian aircraft manufacturer Aerfer. It was the first Italian aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds.
A major impetus for the development of the Sagittario 2 was the issuing of NATO Basic Military Requirement 1 (NBMR-1) in December 1953, which sought a new light tactical support aircraft for NATO air services. Aerfer's design team, headed by the Italian aeronautical engineer Sergio Stefanutti, promptly produced the Sagittario 2 as the company's response. Although the submission was reviewed by NATO officials, the Sagittario 2 was ultimately passed over in favour of other aircraft, these being the Breguet Br.1001 Taon, the Fiat G.91, and the Dassault Mystère XXVI.
Aefer proceeded to complete and test-fly two prototypes. Accordingly, the Sagittario 2 performed its maiden flight on 19 May 1956. One of the prototypes broke the sound barrier for the first time on 4 December 1956. While the Italian Air Force did evaluate the type, no resulting production order was ever received. While testing of the Sagittario 2 concluded in the late 1950s, development work continued as the Ariete.
Design and development
As a result of experiences from the Korean War alongside newly developed concepts of aerial cooperation, the members of NATO recognised a need to reequip their inventories with suitable jet-powered ground attack aircraft. In December 1953, NATO Supreme Command issued NATO Basic Military Requirement 1 (NBMR-1), calling for a new light tactical support aircraft. Western companies were invited to submit their designs for this requested Light Weight Strike Fighter role. One of the aircraft manufacturers to respond with a design was the Italian firm Aerfer; its design team was headed by the Italian aeronautical engineer Sergio Stefanutti. These operational specifications were viewed as not being straightforward to fulfil at that time. Nine of the ten designs to be subsequently submitted for the competition were powered by the Orpheus engine.
In order to evaluate the bids that various aircraft manufacturers submitted in response, a special Advisory Group for Aeronautical Research and Development (AGARD) committee conducted extensive evaluations for NBMR-1.
Nevertheless, Aerfer elected to conduct flight testing of its new aircraft. On 19 May 1956, the prototype Sagittario 2 conducted its maiden flight. On 4 December 1956, while piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Giovanni Franchini, the prototype broke the sound barrier while in controlled flight, having attained a top speed of Mach 1.1 during a dive from 13,725 m (45,000 ft). The Italian Air Force performed their own evaluation of the Sagittario 2, which involved air force pilots test flying the type, but this did not conclude in a production order. Further development continued as the Ariete.
The Sagittario 2 was a compact all-metal jet-powered aircraft, designed to be operated as either an interceptor or light tactical support aircraft. While the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engine had been selected to power the type, it was still in development at the time of its selection; hence, prototype aircraft were instead powered by a single Rolls-Royce Derwent 9 centrifugal-flow turbojet.
Specifications (Sagittario 2)
thumb|The Hispano-Suiza HSS 825 autocannons as mounted in the Sagittario 2.