North American Aviation’s F-100 Super Sabre first flew May 25, 1953, and was the first operational fighter in the world capable of maintaining supersonic speed in level flight. Of the 2,290 Super Sabres, 1,274 F-100Ds included the first autopilot designed for a supersonic jet. Powered by a 16,950-pound-thrust afterburning jet engine, the F-100 was armed with four 20-millimeter cannons, two GAM 83A Bulldog missiles, four Sidewinder missiles, rockets, special stores, and/or 7,040 pounds of bombs.