m Robot - Moving category United States special-purpose aircraft 1950-1959 to Category:United States special-purpose aircraft 1950–1959 per CFDatWikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2011 September 20.
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{{Short description|Supersonic drone}} |
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[[Image:Twuav 01 05.png|right]]The '''AQM-35''' was a [[supersonic]] target [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] produced by [[Northrop Corporation|Northrop]]. |
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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin |
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|name = Q-4 / AQM-35 |
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|image = File:Northrop XQ-4 in flight.jpg |
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|caption = XQ-4 |
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|alt = |
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}}{{Infobox aircraft type |
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|type = [[Target drone]] |
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|national origin = [[United States]] |
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|manufacturer = [[Northrop Corporation]] |
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|builder = |
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|designer = |
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|first flight = January 1956 |
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|introduced = |
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|introdction = |
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|retired = mid 1960s |
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|status = |
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|primary user = [[United States Air Force]] |
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|more users = |
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|produced = |
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|number built = 25 |
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|program cost = |
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|unit cost = |
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|developed from = |
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|variants with their own articles = |
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|developed into = |
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}} |
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|} |
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The '''AQM-35''' was a [[supersonic]] target [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] produced by the [[Northrop Corporation]]. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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The AQM-35 program began life in |
The AQM-35 program began life in 1953 as the Model RP-61 supersonic target drone. In June 1954 the [[United States Air Force]] awarded Northrop a contract for development of the project as the Q-4; the first flight-capable XQ-4 was launched in 1956. |
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The XQ-4 was capable of either ground or air launch, though the former mode was never tested. It was powered by |
The XQ-4 was capable of either ground or air launch, though the former mode was never tested. It was powered by a [[Rolls-Royce Soar|Westinghouse XJ81-WE-3]] [[turbojet]], allowing it to reach speeds of [[Mach number|Mach]] 1.55. The drone's course was followed with [[radar]], and flight commands were sent by a [[radio]] [[telemetry]] system. When the mission was completed the XQ-4 would deploy a three-stage [[parachute]] system along with four large inflatable airbags to cushion the impact with the ground. |
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The Air Force planned to use the Q-4 as a target for various [[Surface-to-air missile|surface-to-air]] and [[Air-to-air missile|air-to-air]] missiles. A secondary [[reconnaissance]] function was planned, with TV or cameras carried. The drone was air-launched by a Lockheed DC-130 Hercules drone controller aircraft, or other carrier aircraft. |
The Air Force planned to use the Q-4 as a target for various [[Surface-to-air missile|surface-to-air]] and [[Air-to-air missile|air-to-air]] missiles. A secondary [[reconnaissance]] function was planned, with TV or cameras carried. The drone was air-launched by a [[Lockheed DC-130|Lockheed DC-130 Hercules]] drone controller aircraft, or other carrier aircraft. |
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In |
In 1963, the Q-4 family of drones were given the designation AQM-35A and AQM-35B. They were never considered entirely successful, with a variety of problems arising during both the development and flight testing phases. It was also considered that the flight performance of the drone was so high that it was not a realistic test for the missiles being developed––ironic since the whole point of the project was to develop a supersonic target. Only 25 of all types were ever built. The last examples of the type were retired during the 1960s. |
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==Variants== |
==Variants== |
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[[Image:Twuav 01 05.png|right]] |
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The '''XQ-4A''', was developed to use a have a [[Fairchild J83]] engine and a modified radar signature for testing the CIM-10 Bomarc missile. When the engine could not be developed in time the variant was cancelled. |
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;XQ-4:Prototype of the RP-61 supersonic target drone. |
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;Q-4:Production target drones. |
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;Q-4A:Developed to use a [[Fairchild J83]] engine and a modified radar signature for testing the [[CIM-10 Bomarc]] missile. When the engine could not be developed in time the variant was cancelled. |
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;Q-4B: Fitted with a much more powerful [[General Electric J85|J85-GE-5]] engine and a strengthened airframe. This variant was first flown in 1961. |
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;AQM-35A:Post 1962 designation of the Q-4 drone. |
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;AQM-35B:Post 1962 designation of the Q-4B |
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==Specifications (Q-4/AQM-35A)== |
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In [[1959]] Northrop was given a contract to develop an improved '''XQ-4B''' fitted with a much more powerful [[General Electric J85|J85-GE-5]] engine and a strengthened airframe. This variant was first flown in [[1961]]. |
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{{Aircraft specs |
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==Specifications (XQ-4/AQM-35A)== |
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{{Aero specs missing}} |
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{{aircraft specifications |
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|plane or copter?=plane |
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|jet or prop?=jet |
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|ref= |
|ref= |
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|prime units?=kts |
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|crew=none |
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<!-- |
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|capacity= |
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General characteristics |
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|payload main= |
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--> |
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|payload alt= |
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|length |
|length m=10.06 |
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|length |
|length note=<br/> |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert|35.333|ft|m|abbr=on|2}} |
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|span main= 11 ft 1 in |
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|span |
|span m=3.38 |
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|span note=<br/> |
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|height main= 5 ft 7 in |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert| 12.666|ft|m|abbr=on|2}} |
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|height alt= 1.69 m |
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|height m=1.69 |
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|area main= |
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|height note=<br/> |
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|area alt= |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert| 6.167|ft|m|abbr=on|2}} |
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|airfoil= |
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|dia m=0.51 |
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|empty weight main=1,980 lb |
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|empty weight |
|empty weight lb=1,980 |
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| |
|empty weight note=<br/> |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert| 3,400|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}} |
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|loaded weight alt= |
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<!-- |
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|useful load main= |
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Powerplant |
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|useful load alt= |
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--> |
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|max takeoff weight main= |
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|eng1 number=1 |
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|max takeoff weight alt= |
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|eng1 name=[[Westinghouse XJ81-WE-3]] |
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|more general= |
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|eng1 type=Lightweight expendable turbojet |
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* '''Diameter:''' 20 in (51 cm) |
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|eng1 lbf=1,810 |
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|engine (jet)=[[Rolls-Royce Soar|Westinghouse XJ81-WE-3]] |
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|eng1 note=<br/> |
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|type of jet= [[turbojet]] |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' 1x [[General Electric J85-GE-5]] turbojet, {{convert| 3,850|lbf|kN|abbr=on|0}} thrust |
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|number of jets=1 |
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<!-- |
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|thrust main= 1,810 lbf |
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Performance |
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|thrust alt=8.0 kN |
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--> |
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|thrust original= |
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|more performance=<br/> |
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|afterburning thrust main= |
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*'''Maximum speed''': M1.55 |
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|afterburning thrust alt= |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' M2.0 |
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|max speed main= Mach 1.55 |
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|ceiling ft=60,000 |
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|max speed alt= |
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|ceiling note=<br/> |
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|cruise speed main= |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert|70,000|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} |
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|cruise speed alt= |
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|stall speed main= |
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|stall speed alt= |
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|never exceed speed main= |
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|never exceed speed alt= |
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|range main= |
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|range alt= |
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|ceiling main=60,000 ft |
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|ceiling alt= 18,300 m |
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|climb rate main= |
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|climb rate alt= |
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|loading main= |
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|loading alt= |
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|thrust/weight= |
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|power/mass main= |
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|power/mass alt= |
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|more performance= |
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|armament= |
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|avionics= |
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}} |
}} |
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==Specifications (XQ-4B/AQM-35B)== |
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{{aircraft specifications |
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|plane or copter?=plane |
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|jet or prop?=jet |
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|ref= |
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|crew=none |
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|capacity= |
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|payload main= |
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|payload alt= |
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|length main= 35 ft 4 in |
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|length alt= 10.77 m |
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|span main= 12 ft 8 in |
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|span alt= 3.86 m |
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|height main= 6 ft 2 in |
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|height alt= 1.88 m |
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|area main= |
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|area alt= |
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|airfoil= |
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|empty weight main= 3,400 lb |
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|empty weight alt= 1,540 kg |
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|loaded weight main= |
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|loaded weight alt= |
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|useful load main= |
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|useful load alt= |
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|max takeoff weight main= |
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|max takeoff weight alt= |
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|more general= |
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* '''Diameter:''' 20 in (51 cm) |
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|engine (jet)=[[General Electric J85]]-GE-5 |
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|type of jet=[[turbojet]] |
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|number of jets=1 |
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|thrust main= 3,850 lbf |
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|thrust alt= 17.1 kN |
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|thrust original= |
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|afterburning thrust main= |
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|afterburning thrust alt= |
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|max speed main=Mach 2 |
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|max speed alt= |
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|cruise speed main= |
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|cruise speed alt= |
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|stall speed main= |
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|stall speed alt= |
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|never exceed speed main= |
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|never exceed speed alt= |
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|range main= |
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|range alt= |
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|ceiling main=70,000 ft |
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|ceiling alt= 21,300 m |
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|climb rate main= |
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|climb rate alt= |
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|loading main= |
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|loading alt= |
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|thrust/weight= |
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|power/mass main= |
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|power/mass alt= |
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|more performance= |
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|armament= |
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|avionics= |
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}} |
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==References== |
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* [http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_01.html#m1 Early US Target Drones] |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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|related= |
|related= |
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|similar aircraft= |
|similar aircraft= |
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|sequence= |
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|lists= |
|lists= |
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|see also= |
|see also= |
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}} |
}} |
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==References== |
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{{US missiles}} |
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{{ |
{{commonscat}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-35.html Northrop (Radioplane) Q-4/AQM-35] |
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{{Northrop aircraft}} |
{{Northrop aircraft}} |
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{{US missiles}} |
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{{US unmanned aircraft}} |
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{{USAF system codes}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:AQM-35}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:AQM-35}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Northrop aircraft|Q-004]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1950s United States special-purpose aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Target drones of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]] |
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[[Category:High-wing aircraft]] |
Q-4 / AQM-35 | |
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![]() | |
XQ-4 | |
Role | Target drone
Type of aircraft
|
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Northrop Corporation |
First flight | January 1956 |
Retired | mid 1960s |
Primary user | United States Air Force |
Number built | 25 |
The AQM-35 was a supersonic target drone produced by the Northrop Corporation.
The AQM-35 program began life in 1953 as the Model RP-61 supersonic target drone. In June 1954 the United States Air Force awarded Northrop a contract for development of the project as the Q-4; the first flight-capable XQ-4 was launched in 1956.
The XQ-4 was capable of either ground or air launch, though the former mode was never tested. It was powered by a Westinghouse XJ81-WE-3 turbojet, allowing it to reach speeds of Mach 1.55. The drone's course was followed with radar, and flight commands were sent by a radio telemetry system. When the mission was completed the XQ-4 would deploy a three-stage parachute system along with four large inflatable airbags to cushion the impact with the ground.
The Air Force planned to use the Q-4 as a target for various surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. A secondary reconnaissance function was planned, with TV or cameras carried. The drone was air-launched by a Lockheed DC-130 Hercules drone controller aircraft, or other carrier aircraft.
In 1963, the Q-4 family of drones were given the designation AQM-35A and AQM-35B. They were never considered entirely successful, with a variety of problems arising during both the development and flight testing phases. It was also considered that the flight performance of the drone was so high that it was not a realistic test for the missiles being developed––ironic since the whole point of the project was to develop a supersonic target. Only 25 of all types were ever built. The last examples of the type were retired during the 1960s.
General characteristics
Performance
Northrop aircraft and aircraft engines
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Aircraft engines |
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See also: TR-3 |
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USAAF designations (1924-1947) |
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USAF designations (1948-1962) |
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Tri-service designations (1962-present) |
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United States Air Force system numbers
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100–199 |
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200–299 |
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300–399 |
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400–499 |
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500–599 |
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600–699 |
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700–799 |
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800–899 |
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900–999 |
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1 Unknown or not assigned |