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 |
|
| |
The Globe KD5G was an American target drone produced by Globe Aircraft Corporation that began development in 1949.
"The XKD5G-1 was an early pulsejet-powered U.S. Navy target drone. The pulsejet was mounted externally, as on the German V-1 missile of World War II, but was smaller. The drone could fly 540 kilometers (335 miles) per hour and could be recovered by parachute for reuse."
"The XK5DG-1 originated in 1949 and was tested at the Naval Air Test Center, Point Mugu, California. By 1951-52, speed requirements for drones had increased, and pulsejets were not effective beyond an altitude of 9,144 meters (30,000 feet). 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."
Specifications (KD5G-1)
Data from Placard at Udvar-Hazy
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
- Wingspan: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Marquardt PJ46 pulsejet, 170 lbf (0.76 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 335 mph (539 km/h; 291 kn)
References
- This article contains material that originally came from the placard at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.