Lockheed Aequare
Aequare | |
---|---|
Role | Reconnaissance drone |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Lockheed Missiles and Space Company |
Built by | Windecker Industries |
First flight | 1975 |
Primary user | United States Air Force |
Number built | 15-20 |
TheLockheed Aequare(Latin:"to equalize" ) was anunmanned aerial vehicledeveloped by theLockheed Missiles and Space Companyfor theUnited States Air Force.It was intended for launch from anF-4 Phantom IIfighter-bomber, and would carry a remotesensor arrayandlaser designatorfor use by the launching aircraft. The system was evaluated in the mid 1970s, but did not enter operational service.
Design and development
[edit]Development of the Aequare was initiated in 1973 with the awarding of a contract from theDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency(DARPA) to theLockheed Missiles and Space Companyfor the development of an expendable miniature air-launched remotely piloted vehicle (later known as unmanned aerial vehicle) for use by the United States Air Force (USAF) to find and designate targets forstrike aircraftin high-threat environments.[1]The resulting aircraft, produced under subcontract byWindecker Industries,[1]was equipped with a folding 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wing and a pusherducted fanpowered by aMcCulloch MC-101engine, and was intended to be launched from aSUU-42flare dispenser,[2]which would be released from aMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIfighter-bomber at approximately 24,000 feet (7,300 m) and descend under parachute. Upon deployment of the main parachute, the Aequare would be released, starting its engine and flying underradio command guidancefrom a ground station,[3]with imagery and telemetry transmitted through adatalink,[1]with the launching aircraft acting as a relay using the CTU-2 datalink pod.[4]The Aequare was equipped with cameras foraerial reconnaissanceand also was fitted with a laser designator to allow the launching F-4, or other aircraft, to attack targets found by the UAV.[2]
Operational history
[edit]The Aequare first flew in mid-1975;[2]between 15 and 20 prototype aircraft were produced. Following the end of the system's flight trials in March 1976,[1]no production was undertaken.[2]
A development of the Aequare, SAVIOR (Small Aerial Vehicle for Observation, Intelligence, and Reconnaissance), jointly produced by LMSC and Windecker, used the fuselage and engine of Aequare mated to a new fixed wing and landing gear configuration; it was used to researchautopilotdesign and launch-and-recovery techniques for unmanned aerial vehicles.[5]
Specifications
[edit]Data fromParsch 2004[2]
General characteristics
- Crew:None
- Length:7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)
- Wingspan:7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
- Gross weight:140 lb (64 kg)
- Powerplant:1 ×McCulloch MC-101two-strokesingle-cylinder engine,12.5 hp (9.3 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed:115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
- Range:200 mi (320 km, 170 nmi)
See also
[edit]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Francillon, Rene J. (1987).Lockheed Aircraft since 1913.Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.ISBN978-0-8702-1897-2.
- Munson, Kenneth (1988).World Unmanned Aircraft.London: Janes Information Group.ISBN978-0-7106-0401-9.
- Jane's Weapons Systems 1979–1980.London: Jane's Information Group. 1979.Retrieved2017-12-16.
- Parsch, Andreas (5 May 2004)."Lockheed Aequare".Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles.Designation-Systems.Retrieved2017-12-16.