In early models of the Crusader, the avionics systems provided only a limited all-weather or night capability.  The Navy’s desire to expand the usability of the aircraft resulted in a request to add avionics equipment to the aircraft to provide these capabilities, creating the F8U-2N model.  The increased electrical load requirements of the new avionics equipment required a larger generator.   Development of the J57-P20 engine by Pratt and Whitney provided a new gear box on the nose spinner of the engine.  A  constant-speed drive  transmission developed by the Sundstrand Corp. was adapted to fit onto this gearbox , and a new 20-kva generator was mounted on the CSD.  This installation permitted the generator to operate at its rated rpm over the entire speed range of the engine, from idle to full military.

The new engine model had the same basic thrust as the -P16, but was uprated to 18,000 pounds in afterburner which gave the aircraft a top speed of Mach 1.9.  The new AN/APQ-83 radar was mounted in the nose cone to give the aircraft night target acquisition capabilities, and an AN/AAS-15 infrared scanner mounted just forward of the bullet-proof glass in the windscreen assisted in target identification after acquisition.  A company- developed push-button “cruise relief” autopilot system reduced the pilot’s mundane workload during much of his flight time, permitting him to concentrate his attention more on his mission.

The weapons systems in the -2N were basically the same as in the -2, except that the Mighty Mouse rocket pack on the lower surface of the fuselage (see F8U-1 (F8-A) description) was removed, and this space was incorporated into the main fuel cell cavity, increasing the fuel capacity to 1,348 gallons and combat radius to 394 nautical miles.  With the addition of the various equipment packages and fuel, and the deletion of the rocket pack, there was a net weight gain that pushed the gross weight of the -2N up to 29,000 pounds.

 F8U-2N No.1, BuNo 147035, made its first flight on 16 February 1960 at NAS Dallas, and the first production fleet delivery was made on 1 June 1960.  Many pilots considered the -2N the best of the Crusader series.  The combination of speed, range, weapons variety, avionics improvements, and maneuverability made it their idea of the ideal “last of the gunfighters”.

F8U:

XF8U-1 Innovative Systems
XF8U-1 In The Cockpit
A New Aircraft and a New Coporation
F8U-1 and F8U-1E production Aircraft Changes
Life Extension
Loss of F8U-3 and a New Challenge
Last flight of the F8 (1999)