| XBQ-3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Flying bomb
Type of aircraft
|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft |
| First flight | July 1944 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Forces |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | AT-21 Gunner |
The Fairchild BQ-3, also known as the Model 79, was an early expendable unmanned aerial vehicle – referred to at the time as an "assault drone" – developed by Fairchild Aircraft from the company's AT-21 Gunner advanced trainer during the Second World War for use by the United States Army Air Forces. Two examples of the type were built and flight-tested, but the progress of guided missiles rendered the assault drone quickly obsolete, and the type was not produced.
Development of the BQ-3 began in October, 1942, under a program for the development of "aerial torpedoes", later and more commonly referred to as "assault drones",[1] that had been instigated in March of that year. Fairchild was awarded a contract for the construction of two XBQ-3 prototypes, based largely on the AT-21 Gunner advanced gunnery trainer already in United States Army Air Forces service.[1]
The XBQ-3 was a twin-engined, low-wing aircraft, fitted with retractable tricycle landing gear and a twin-finned empennage; although the aircraft was intended to be operated by radio control with television assist, a two-seat cockpit was included in the design for testing and ferry flights.[2] Power was provided by two Ranger V-770 inline piston engines of 520 horsepower (390 kW) each;[3] up to 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of explosives could be carried by the aircraft in unmanned configuration.[2] Like the contemporary Fleetwings BQ-2, the aircraft would be destroyed in the act of striking the target.
The first flight of the XBQ-3 took place in July 1944;[1] later that month, one of the prototypes was severely damaged in a forced landing.[4] Despite the accident, flight testing continued; however, the assault drone was determined to have no significant advantage over conventional bombers, and advances in the field of guided missiles were rapidly rendering the concept obsolete.[5] As a result, the program was cancelled towards the end of 1944.[1]
Data from [1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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Fairchild aircraft
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| By role |
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| Fairchild (Canada) |
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| Fairchild-Dornier |
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| Fairchild Hiller |
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| Fairchild Republic |
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| Fairchild Swearingen |
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| American Helicopter |
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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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