Fairchild BQ-3
| XBQ-3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Flying bomb |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft |
| First flight | July 1944 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Forces |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | AT-21 Gunner |
TheFairchild BQ-3,also known as theModel 79,was an early expendableunmanned aerial vehicle– referred to at the time as an "assault drone"– developed byFairchild Aircraftfrom the company'sAT-21 Gunneradvanced trainer during theSecond World Warfor use by theUnited States Army Air Forces.Two examples of the type were built and flight-tested, but the progress ofguided missilesrendered the assault drone quickly obsolete, and the type was not produced.
Design and development
[edit]Development of the BQ-3 began in October, 1942, under a program for the development of "aerial torpedoes", later and more commonly referred to as "assault drones",[1]that had been instigated in March of that year. Fairchild was awarded a contract for the construction of two XBQ-3 prototypes, based largely on the AT-21 Gunner advanced gunnery trainer already in United States Army Air Forces service.[1]
The XBQ-3 was a twin-engined, low-wing aircraft, fitted with retractabletricycle landing gearand atwin-finnedempennage;although the aircraft was intended to be operated by radio control with television assist, a two-seat cockpit was included in the design for testing and ferry flights.[2]Power was provided by twoRanger V-770inline piston enginesof 520 horsepower (390 kW) each;[3]up to 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of explosives could be carried by the aircraft in unmanned configuration.[2]Like the contemporaryFleetwings BQ-2,the aircraft would be destroyed in the act of striking the target.
Flight testing
[edit]The first flight of the XBQ-3 took place in July 1944;[1]later that month, one of the prototypes was severely damaged in a forced landing.[4]Despite the accident, flight testing continued; however, the assault drone was determined to have no significant advantage over conventional bombers, and advances in the field ofguided missileswere rapidly rendering the concept obsolete.[5]As a result, the program was cancelled towards the end of 1944.[1]
Specifications (XBQ-3)
[edit]Data from[1]
General characteristics
- Crew:1 (optional)
- Length:52 ft 8 in (16.05 m)
- Wingspan:37 ft (11 m)
- Height:31 ft 1 in (9.47 m)
- Gross weight:15,300 lb (6,940 kg)
- Powerplant:2 ×Ranger V-770-15 inline piston engines, 520 hp (390 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed:220 mph (350 km/h, 190 kn)
- Range:1,500 mi (2,400 km, 1,300 nmi)
Armament
- 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) warhead
See also
[edit]Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
[edit]
Further reading
[edit]- Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1947).Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1947.London: MacMillan.ASINB000RMJ7FU.
- Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L, eds. (1955).The Army Air Forces in World War II.Vol. VI, Men & Planes. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.LCCN48-3657.
- Parsch, Andreas (2003)."Fairchild BQ-3".Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones.designation-systems.net.Retrieved2013-01-23.
- Ross, Frank (1951).Guided Missiles: Rockets & Torpedoes.New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.ASINB001LGSGX0.
- Werrell, Kenneth P. (1985).The Evolution of the Cruise Missile.Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Air University Press.ISBN978-1478363057.