The Radioplane XKD4R, known by the company designation RP-70, was an American target drone developed by the Radioplane Division of the Northrop Corporation. Although it was not produced in quantity, it was developed into the successful AQM-38.
The XKD4R was an air-launched target drone, powered by a single Aerojet solid-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 three canard control fins located forwards, one on top of and one on either side of the fuselage, and fixed horizontal fins at the rear. An autopilot controlled the drone after launch; at the end of an approximately nine-minute flight, a parachute was deployed for recovery.[2]
Operational historyEdit
Conducting its first flight in January 1958,[2] the XKD4R-1 was tested extensively by the United States Navy, launches usually being conducted from McDonnell F3H Demon fighters.[3] Although satisfactory, the RP-70 was not produced; instead, the improved RP-76 was developed, flying in 1959 and being produced for both the U.S. Air Force and Navy, becoming the AQM-38 in 1962.[2]
Parsch, Andreas (2003). "Radioplane KD4R". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
October 16, 2023
radioplane, xkd4r, known, company, designation, american, target, drone, developed, radioplane, division, northrop, corporation, although, produced, quantity, developed, into, successful, xkd4rrole, target, dronenational, origin, united, statesmanufacturer, ra. The Radioplane XKD4R known by the company designation RP 70 was an American target drone developed by the Radioplane Division of the Northrop Corporation Although it was not produced in quantity it was developed into the successful AQM 38 XKD4RRole Target droneNational origin United StatesManufacturer RadioplaneFirst flight January 1958Primary user United States NavyDeveloped into AQM 38 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Specifications XKD4R 1 4 See also 5 ReferencesDesign and development EditThe XKD4R was an air launched target drone powered by a single Aerojet solid 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 three canard control fins located forwards one on top of and one on either side of the fuselage and fixed horizontal fins at the rear An autopilot controlled the drone after launch at the end of an approximately nine minute flight a parachute was deployed for recovery 2 Operational history EditConducting its first flight in January 1958 2 the XKD4R 1 was tested extensively by the United States Navy launches usually being conducted from McDonnell F3H Demon fighters 3 Although satisfactory the RP 70 was not produced instead the improved RP 76 was developed flying in 1959 and being produced for both the U S Air Force and Navy becoming the AQM 38 in 1962 2 Specifications XKD4R 1 EditData from Parsch 2 General characteristicsCrew 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 secPerformance Maximum speed Mach Mach 0 95 Endurance 9 minutes Service ceiling 60 000 ft 18 000 m See also EditRelated development Northrop AQM 38Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era Temco XKDT TealRelated lists List of unmanned aerial vehiclesReferences EditCitations a b New American Missiles Flight 8 February 1957 Volume 71 No 2507 p 167 a b c d Parsch 2003 Fahey 1958 p 41 BibliographyFahey James Charles 1958 The Ships and Aircraft of the U S Fleet 7th ed Washington DC Ships and Aircraft Publishers ISBN 9780870216466 Parsch Andreas 2003 Radioplane KD4R Directory of U S Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 1 Early Missiles and Drones designation systems net Retrieved 2011 01 28 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Radioplane XKD4R amp oldid 1108919870, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
