Radioplane XKD4R
| XKD4R | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Radioplane |
| First flight | January 1958 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Developed into | AQM-38 |
TheRadioplane XKD4R,known by the company designationRP-70,was an Americantarget dronedeveloped by theRadioplaneDivision of theNorthrop Corporation.Although it was not produced in quantity, it was developed into the successfulAQM-38.
Design and development[edit]
The XKD4R was an air-launched target drone, powered by a singleAerojetsolid-fuel rocket engine which exhausted through nozzles located at the trailing edges of the wing.[1]Constructed largely of molded plastic,[1]it utilized an unconventional control configuration, consisting of threecanardcontrol fins located forwards, one on top of and one on either side of thefuselage,and fixed horizontal fins at the rear. Anautopilotcontrolled the drone after launch; at the end of an approximately nine-minute flight, a parachute was deployed for recovery.[2]
Operational history[edit]
Conducting its first flight in January 1958,[2]the XKD4R-1 was tested extensively by theUnited States Navy,launches usually being conducted fromMcDonnell F3H Demonfighters.[3]Although satisfactory, the RP-70 was not produced; instead, the improvedRP-76was developed, flying in 1959 and being produced for both theU.S. Air Forceand Navy, becoming the AQM-38 in 1962.[2]
Specifications (XKD4R-1)[edit]
Data fromParsch[2]
General characteristics
- Crew:None
- Length:9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
- Wingspan:5 ft (1.5 m)
- Gross weight:305 lb (138 kg)
- Powerplant:1 × Aerojet 530NS35 solid-fuel rocket, 37 lbf (0.16 kN) thrust burn time 530 sec
Performance
- Maximum speed:Mach Mach 0.95
- Endurance:9 minutes
- Service ceiling:60,000 ft (18,000 m)
See also[edit]
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References[edit]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fahey, James Charles(1958).The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet(7th ed.). Washington, DC: Ships and Aircraft Publishers.ISBN9780870216466.
- Parsch, Andreas (2003)."Radioplane KD4R".Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones.designation-systems.net.Retrieved2011-01-28.