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{{Short description|Supersonic drone}} |
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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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⚫ | 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 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 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 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 |
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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;XQ-4:Prototype of the RP-61 supersonic target drone. |
;XQ-4:Prototype of the RP-61 supersonic target drone. |
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;Q-4:Production target drones. |
;Q-4:Production target drones. |
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|eng1 lbf=1,810 |
|eng1 lbf=1,810 |
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|eng1 note=<br/> |
|eng1 note=<br/> |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' 1x [[General Electric J85-GE-5]] turbojet, {{convert| 3,850| |
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' 1x [[General Electric J85-GE-5]] turbojet, {{convert| 3,850|lbf|kN|abbr=on|0}} thrust |
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<!-- |
<!-- |
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Performance |
Performance |
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::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert|70,000|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} |
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert|70,000|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} |
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}} |
}} |
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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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{{commonscat|Northrop}} |
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{{aircontent| |
{{aircontent| |
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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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{{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 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:1950s United States special-purpose aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Target drones of the United States]] |
[[Category:Target drones of the United States]] |
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[[Category: |
[[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
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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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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 |