Globe KD5G
| Globe KD5G | |
|---|---|
| |
| Globe XKD5G on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | |
| Role | Target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Globe Aircraft |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
The Globe KD5G was a pulsejet-powered American target target drone produced by Globe Aircraft Corporation that began development in 1949. Due to changing requirements for drone performance, it was only operated by the United States Navy for a short period.
Design and development
The XKD5G-1 was of conventional high-wing, twin-tail design, a Marquardt PJ46 pulsejet being mounted externally atop the fuselage, in the same style as the World War II German V-1.[1] The KD5G had a top speed of 335 miles per hour (539 km/h); if it was not shot down during its mission, it could be recovered by parachute for reuse.[2]
Operational history
Originating in 1949, the the XK5DG-1 first flew in 1950,[1] and was tested at the Naval Air Test Center in Point Mugu, California. By 1952, however, the speed requirements for target drones had increased to the point that the KD5G was considered too slow for operational service; additionally, pulsejets lost effiicently quickly at higher altitudes, and thus further development of the XKD5G-1 was abandoned. The XKD5G-1 was one of the last uses of pulsejets by the U.S. military.[2]
Specifications (KD5G-1)
Data from Parsch 2003[1]; placard at Udvar-Hazy[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
- Wingspan: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Marquardt PJ46-MA-2 pulsejet, 175 lbf (0.78 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 335 mph (539 km/h, 291 kn)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c Parsch, Andreas (2 April 2003). "Globe KD5G". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. Designation-Systems. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ a b c KD5G placard at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.