Editing Bell X-16 (section)

==Development==
During the second half of 1953, [[Fairchild Aircraft|Fairchild]], Bell, and [[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin Aircraft]] conducted high altitude reconnaissance aircraft design studies for the [[United States Air Force]] under project MX-2147.<ref name="Polmar p. 26">Polmar 2001, p. 26.</ref> All three designs used [[Pratt & Whitney J57]]-19 turbojets. The Bell and Martin (B-57D) designs were chosen for further development. The Bell '''Model 67''' design was designated the '''X-16'''. A full-scale mock-up was completed and one aircraft was partially completed. It was designed as a high altitude long-range reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name=Miller>Miller, Jay (2001). The X-Planes: X-1 to X-45 (third ed.). Motorbooks International. {{ISBN|1-85780-109-1}}.</ref>

The X-16 design was breaking new ground with its design. Its wingspan was long ({{convert|114|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}) with a high (11.9) [[aspect ratio (aeronautics)|aspect ratio]]. The structure was significantly lighter and more flexible than usual for jet aircraft wings. The entire aircraft was made as light as possible to achieve its intended 3,000-mile{{clarify|date=August 2018|reason=sm or nm?}} unrefueled range at {{convert|69,500|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Polmar p. 26"/>

A total of 28 aircraft were ordered, but none were completed. The first X-16 was about 80 percent complete when the program was cancelled by the Air Force in favor of the [[Martin RB-57D Canberra|Martin RB-57]] in 1956. Although no X-16 was ever completed, it made contributions to aircraft design with its lightweight design. It was also a driving force behind the development of the high-altitude versions of the J57 that would later power the [[Lockheed U-2]] and other aircraft.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}