| A-1 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Target droneType of aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Kaiser-Fleetwings |
| First flight | 1939 |
| Primary user | USAAC |
| Number built | 1 |
The Fleetwings A-1 was an American target drone manufactured by Kaiser-Fleetwings.
Design and development
The A-1 was built in 1939 as a small aerial gunnery target. It was flown unmanned and controlled by radio commands from the ground. It was a mid-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. The A-1 utilized a Radio Frequency Laboratories control unit, broadcasting on 73 MHz; control was by traditonal aircraft-style controls operated by the controller; alternatively the controller could wear a control yoke on a chest-mounted support.
Operational history
Manufacturer's flight trials of the A-1 were conducted at Boonton Township Airfield; following them delivery was made to the Aberdeen Proving Ground for Army trials. The first Army test flight ended in the aircraft crashing, and the project was abandoned.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: none
- Wingspan: 20 ft 0 in (6.0 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × unknown , 80 hp (60 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 mph (290 km/h, 160 kn)
- Endurance: 1 hours 0 minutes
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
References
- "A Series". www.designation-systems.net.
- ^ Wolf, William (2021). Off Target: America’s Guided Bombs, Missiles and Drones 1917-1950. Oxford, England: Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-816-4. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
External links
| Fleetwings and Kaiser-Fleetwings aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Fleetwings | |
| Kaiser-Fleetwings | |
| USAAF/USAF UAV designations 1924–1962, tri-service designations 1962–present | |||||||||
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