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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|name=L450F
|name=L450F
|image=File:LTV L45ØF.jpg
|image=LTV L45ØF.jpg
|caption=
|caption=
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
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|number built=
|number built=
|status=
|status=
|primary user= [[U.S. Air Force]]
|primary user= [[United States Air Force]]
|more users=
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|unit cost=
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The '''LTV L450F''', also known as the '''L45ØF''',<ref name="Janes"/> was a prototype quiet [[reconnaissance aircraft]], developed by [[Ling-Temco-Vought]] in the late 1960s for use in the [[Vietnam War]] by the [[United States]]. Based on the airframe of a [[Schweizer 2-32]] sailplane, the aircraft flew in 1970, and was developed into the [[LTV XQM-93|XQM-93]] reconnaissance [[drone (aircraft)|drone]] before the project was cancelled.
The '''LTV L450F''', also known as the '''L45ØF''',<ref name="Janes"/> was a prototype quiet [[reconnaissance aircraft]], developed by [[Ling-Temco-Vought]] in the late 1960s for use in the [[Vietnam War]] by the [[United States]]. Based on the airframe of a [[Schweizer 2-32]] sailplane, the aircraft flew in 1970, and was developed into the [[LTV XQM-93|XQM-93]] reconnaissance [[drone (aircraft)|drone]] before the project was cancelled.


==Design and development==
==Development==
Developed as a follow on to the [[Igloo White]] program, the L450F was intended to provide a quiet reconnaissance and communications relay aircraft.<ref name="Janes">Jane's 1972, p. 344-345</ref> Under a $1 million [[USD]] contract by LTV Electrosystems, the L450F was developed from a [[Schweizer SGS 2-32]] [[sailplane]], modified by Schweizer to LTV's specifications.<ref name="Janes"/>
Developed as a follow on to the [[Igloo White]] program, the L450F was intended to provide a quiet reconnaissance and communications relay aircraft.<ref name="Janes">Jane's 1971, p. 344-345</ref> Under a $1 million [[USD]] contract by LTV Electrosystems, the L450F was developed from a [[Schweizer SGS 2-32]] [[sailplane]], modified by Schweizer to LTV's specifications.<ref name="Janes"/>


These modifications included stronger wing [[spar]]s, thicker wing skin, installation of a [[Pratt & Whitney PT6A]] turboprop engine driving a three-bladed propeller, and main landing gear based on that of the [[Grumman Ag-Cat]] agricultural aircraft.<ref name="Janes"/> An alternative configuration, using a [[piston engine]], was also proposed.<ref name="Janes"/>
These modifications included stronger wing [[spar (aviation)|spar]]s, thicker wing skin, installation of a [[Pratt & Whitney PT6A]] turboprop engine driving a three-bladed propeller, and main landing gear based on that of the [[Grumman Ag-Cat]] agricultural aircraft.<ref name="Janes"/> An alternative configuration, using a [[piston engine]], was also proposed.<ref name="Janes"/>


⚫
The prototype L450F first flew in February 1970, but was destroyed during its third flight, on 23 March that year, the pilot successfully bailing out. A second prototype was then completed and flown, successfully completing the testing program, and a third prototype was ordered as the unmanned [[XQM-93]] drone, under the [[Compass Dwell]] project. Four examples of the XQM-93 were contracted for by the [[United States Air Force]], however the Compass Dwell project was subsequently cancelled.<ref name="Janes"/><ref name="VS">Goebel, Greg. [http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_12.html#m2 "The Prehistory of Endurance UAVs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730032004/http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_12.html |date=30 July 2013 }}. ''VectorSite''. Accessed 18 June 2010.</ref>
==Flight testing==
⚫
The prototype L450F first flew in February 1970, but was destroyed during its third flight, on 23 March that year, the pilot successfully bailing out. A second prototype was then completed and flown, successfully completing the testing program, and a third prototype was ordered as the unmanned [[XQM-93]] drone, under the [[Compass Dwell]] project. Four examples of the XQM-93 were contracted for by the [[United States Air Force]], however the Compass Dwell project was subsequently cancelled.<ref name="Janes"/><ref name="VS">Goebel, Greg. [http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_12.html#m2 "The Prehistory of Endurance UAVs"]. ''VectorSite''. Accessed 2010-06-18.</ref>


==Operational history==
==Aircraft on display==
[[File:LTV 450F out to pasture.jpg|thumb|right|The second L450F on display]]
The Vintage Flying Museum at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, Texas, has an L-450F on display, but it is disassembled, on a trailer and not airworthy. <ref>{{cite web|author=John Zapp |url=http://www.vintageflyingmuseum.org/aircraft.htm |title=AIRCRAFT at the Vintage Flying Museum a 501c(3) museum located at Meacham Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, Texas |publisher=Vintageflyingmuseum.org |date=1944-01-06 |accessdate=2011-02-12}}</ref>

27 March 1972 Donald R. Wilson reached the altitude of 15,456 m (50,708&nbsp;ft) in horizontal flight flying the remaining L450F, [[Aircraft registration|registered]] N2450F, setting a new [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]] international record, Class C-1c, Group II<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=1385 |title=Fai Record File |publisher=Fai.org |date= |accessdate=2012-05-05}}</ref> (Powered aeroplanes, takeoff weight 1000 to 1750&nbsp;kg, turboprop). This record still stood as of 27 March 2012.


==Specifications (prototype)==
==Specifications (prototype)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=<ref name="Janes"/>
|ref=Janes<ref name="Janes"/>
|prime units?=imp
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|genhide=
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|more power=
|more power=
|prop blade number=3
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=Hartzell
|prop name=[[Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell]]
|prop dia m=
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia ft=
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|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=24-30 hours
|endurance=24–30 hours
|ceiling m=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=52000
|ceiling ft=52000
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==References==
==References==
;Notes
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography
===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-1972''. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co, 1972. ISBN 354-000-942.
* Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–1972''. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co, 1971. {{ISBN|0 354-000-942}}.
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


==External links==
{{aviation lists}}
{{commons category-inline|LTV L450F}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}

{{Vought aircraft}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ltv L450f}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ltv L450f}}
[[Category:United States experimental aircraft 1970–1979]]
[[Category:Vought aircraft|L45OF]]
[[Category:Vought aircraft|L45OF]]
[[Category:Single-engine aircraft]]
[[Category:1970s United States experimental aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1970]]

Latest revision as of 07:36, 12 February 2020

L450F
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Ling-Temco-Vought
First flight February 1970
Primary user United States Air Force
Developed from Schweizer SGS 2-32
Developed into LTV XQM-93

The LTV L450F, also known as the L45ØF,[1] was a prototype quiet reconnaissance aircraft, developed by Ling-Temco-Vought in the late 1960s for use in the Vietnam War by the United States. Based on the airframe of a Schweizer 2-32 sailplane, the aircraft flew in 1970, and was developed into the XQM-93 reconnaissance drone before the project was cancelled.

Design and development[edit]

Developed as a follow on to the Igloo White program, the L450F was intended to provide a quiet reconnaissance and communications relay aircraft.[1] Under a $1 million USD contract by LTV Electrosystems, the L450F was developed from a Schweizer SGS 2-32 sailplane, modified by Schweizer to LTV's specifications.[1]

These modifications included stronger wing spars, thicker wing skin, installation of a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engine driving a three-bladed propeller, and main landing gear based on that of the Grumman Ag-Cat agricultural aircraft.[1] An alternative configuration, using a piston engine, was also proposed.[1]

The prototype L450F first flew in February 1970, but was destroyed during its third flight, on 23 March that year, the pilot successfully bailing out. A second prototype was then completed and flown, successfully completing the testing program, and a third prototype was ordered as the unmanned XQM-93 drone, under the Compass Dwell project. Four examples of the XQM-93 were contracted for by the United States Air Force, however the Compass Dwell project was subsequently cancelled.[1][2]

Operational history[edit]

The second L450F on display

27 March 1972 Donald R. Wilson reached the altitude of 15,456 m (50,708 ft) in horizontal flight flying the remaining L450F, registered N2450F, setting a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale international record, Class C-1c, Group II[3] (Powered aeroplanes, takeoff weight 1000 to 1750 kg, turboprop). This record still stood as of 27 March 2012.

Specifications (prototype)[edit]

Data from Janes[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 (pilot)
  • Length: 29 ft (8.8 m)
  • Wingspan: 57 ft (17 m)
  • Empty weight: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,600 lb (2,087 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,300 pounds (1,000 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-29 , 778 shp (580 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 105 mph (169 km/h, 91 kn)
  • Range: 6,000 mi (9,650 km, 5,210 nmi)
  • Endurance: 24–30 hours
  • Service ceiling: 52,000 ft (16,000 m)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 28:1
  • Rate of climb: 2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)

See also[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Jane's 1971, p. 344-345
  2. ^ Goebel, Greg. "The Prehistory of Endurance UAVs" Archived 30 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine. VectorSite. Accessed 18 June 2010.
  3. ^ "Fai Record File". Fai.org. Retrieved 5 May 2012.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–1972. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co, 1971. ISBN 0 354-000-942.

External links[edit]

Media related to LTV L450F at Wikimedia Commons

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