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{{Short description|Supersonic drone}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|name = Q-4 / AQM-35
|image = File:Northrop XQ-4 in flight.jpg
|caption = XQ-4
|alt =
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type = [[Target drone]]
|national origin = [[United States]]
|manufacturer = [[Northrop Corporation]]
|builder =
|designer =
|first flight = January 1956
|introduced =
|introdction =
|retired = mid 1960s
|status =
|primary user = [[United States Air Force]]
|more users =
|produced =
|number built = 25
|program cost =
|unit cost =
|developed from =
|variants with their own articles =
|developed into =
}}
|}
The '''AQM-35''' was a [[supersonic]] target [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] produced by the [[Northrop Corporation]].
==Overview==
The AQM-35 program began life in
The XQ-4 was capable of either ground or air launch, though the former mode was never tested. It was powered by
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.
In
==Variants==
[[Image:Twuav 01 05.png|right]]
;XQ-4:Prototype of the RP-61 supersonic target drone.
;Q-4:Production target drones.
;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.
;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.
;AQM-35A:Post 1962 designation of the Q-4 drone.
;AQM-35B:Post 1962 designation of the Q-4B
==Specifications (Q-4/AQM-35A)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=
|prime units?=kts
<!--
General characteristics
-->
|length m=10.06
|length note=<br/>
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert|35.333|ft|m|abbr=on|2}}
|span m=3.38
|span note=<br/>
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert| 12.666|ft|m|abbr=on|2}}
|height m=1.69
|height note=<br/>
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert| 6.167|ft|m|abbr=on|2}}
|dia m=0.51
|empty weight lb=1,980
|empty weight note=<br/>
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert| 3,400|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}}
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Westinghouse XJ81-WE-3]]
|eng1 type=Lightweight expendable turbojet
|eng1 lbf=1,810
|eng1 note=<br/>
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' 1x [[General Electric J85-GE-5]] turbojet, {{convert| 3,850|lbf|kN|abbr=on|0}} thrust
<!--
Performance
-->
|more performance=<br/>
*'''Maximum speed''': M1.55
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' M2.0
|ceiling ft=60,000
|ceiling note=<br/>
::::'''Q-4B/AQM-35B:''' {{convert|70,000|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
}}
==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
|see also=
*[[List of missiles]]
*[[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]
}}
==
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-35.html Northrop (Radioplane) Q-4/AQM-35]
{{Northrop aircraft}}
{{US missiles}}
{{US unmanned aircraft}}
{{USAF system codes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:AQM-35}}
[[Category:Northrop aircraft|Q-004]]
[[Category:1950s United States special-purpose aircraft]]
[[Category:Target drones of the United States]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
|
Q-4 / AQM-35 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
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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100–199 |
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200–299 |
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300–399 |
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500–599 |
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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 |