{"type":"programs","slug":"1958-avrocar","title":"Avrocar and Project Silver Bug","url":"https://disclosdex.com/programs/1958-avrocar","description":"Experimental disc-shaped VTOL aircraft developed by Avro Canada that attempted to achieve both vertical takeoff and supersonic flight capabilities","date":"1958-01-01T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["Craft"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","connectionCount":0,"content":{"markdown":"## Origins and Context\n\nProject Silver Bug emerged from Avro Canada's Project Y-2, a classified effort to develop a disc-shaped aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing.[^1] The U.S. Air Force funded the project in 1953, seeing potential for a revolutionary combat aircraft that could operate without conventional runways.[^2]\n\n## Program Structure\n\nThe program produced the VZ-9AV Avrocar, an 18-foot diameter experimental aircraft powered by three Continental J69 turbojet engines.[^3] The design used a central turbine to direct exhaust through a peripheral nozzle for lift and thrust vectoring control.[^4]\n\n## Legacy\n\nDespite ambitious goals of Mach 2+ speeds and 70,000+ feet altitude capability, the Avrocar proved unstable above 3 feet and never exceeded 35 mph in testing.[^5] The program was cancelled in 1961 after spending approximately $10 million, though it advanced understanding of VTOL technologies.[^6]\n\n[^1]: [Air Technical Intelligence Center/WADC - Joint Report on Project Silver Bug](https://cufon.org/cufon/silverbg.htm)\n\n[^2]: [National Archives - Project 1794 Documents in ARC](https://declassification.blogs.archives.gov/2013/01/30/project-1794-documents-in-arc/)\n\n[^3]: [National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar](https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195801/avro-canada-vz-9av-avrocar/)\n\n[^4]: [National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar](https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195801/avro-canada-vz-9av-avrocar/)\n\n[^5]: [National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar](https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195801/avro-canada-vz-9av-avrocar/); [Air Force Historical Support Division - Project 1794 Documents](https://www.afhistory.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/459834/project-1794-documents-saucer-type-aircraft/)\n\n[^6]: [National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar](https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195801/avro-canada-vz-9av-avrocar/); [Avrocar: A Real Flying Saucer](https://arxiv.org/abs/1507.06916)","readingTime":"2 min read"},"relatedRecords":[],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/programs/1958-avrocar","title":"Avrocar and Project Silver Bug","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/programs/1958-avrocar","license":"CC-BY-4.0"}}