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The '''AQM-60 Kingfisher''', originally designated '''XQ-5''', was a [[target drone]] version of the USAF's [[Lockheed X-7|X-7]] [[ramjet]] test aircraft built by the [[Lockheed Corporation]]. The aircraft was designed by [[Kelly Johnson (engineer)|Kelly Johnson]], the designer who later created the [[Lockheed A-12]] and its relatives, such as the [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird]] and [[Lockheed YF-12]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalaviation.org/johnson-clarence-leonard/|title=Johnson, Clarence Leonard - National Aviation Hall of Fame|website=nationalaviation.org|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
The '''AQM-60 Kingfisher''', originally designated '''XQ-5''', was a [[target drone]] version of the USAF's [[Lockheed X-7|X-7]] [[ramjet]] test aircraft built by the [[Lockheed Corporation]]. The aircraft was designed by [[Kelly Johnson (engineer)|Kelly Johnson]], the designer who later created the [[Lockheed A-12]] and its relatives, such as the [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird]] and [[Lockheed YF-12]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalaviation.org/johnson-clarence-leonard/|title=Johnson, Clarence Leonard - National Aviation Hall of Fame|website=nationalaviation.org|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>


The X-7's development began in 1946 after a request from the USAF for a [[Mach number|Mach 3]] [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] for test purposes. This unmanned test craft eventually evolved into the Kingfisher, which was later used to test [[anti-missile system]]s such as the [[MIM-3 Nike Ajax]], [[MIM-14 Nike-Hercules|SAM-A-25/MIM-14 Nike Hercules]], and [[CIM-10 Bomarc|IM-99/CIM-10]].<ref>Area 51 - Black Jets: A History of the Aircraft Developed at Groom Lake, Bill Yenne 2014, p.95</ref>
The X-7's development began in 1946 after a request from the USAF for a [[Mach number|Mach 3]] [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] for test purposes. This unmanned test craft eventually evolved into the Kingfisher, which was later used to test [[anti-missile system]]s such as the [[MIM-3 Nike Ajax]], [[MIM-14 Nike-Hercules|SAM-A-25/MIM-14 Nike Hercules]], and [[CIM-10 Bomarc|IM-99/CIM-10]].<ref>Area 51 - Black Jets: A History of the Aircraft Developed at Groom Lake, Bill Yenne 2014, p.95</ref>


The Kingfisher was capable of evading the vast majority of weapons systems it was used to test, despite the systems being designed to destroy [[hypersonic missile]]s in flight. This created a significant amount of embarrassment at the USAF, resulting in considerable political fallout, which led to the discontinuation of production in 1959 and the cancellation of the project entirely in the mid-1960s.<ref name=X-7>{{cite web|url=http://www.456fis.org/LOCKHEED_X-7.htm|title=The Lockheed X-7|website=www.456fis.org|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
The Kingfisher was capable of evading the vast majority of weapons systems it was used to test, despite the systems being designed to destroy [[hypersonic missile]]s in flight. This created a significant amount of embarrassment at the USAF, resulting in considerable political fallout, which led to the discontinuation of production in 1959 and the cancellation of the project entirely in the mid-1960s.<ref name=X-7>{{cite web|url=http://www.456fis.org/LOCKHEED_X-7.htm|title=The Lockheed X-7|website=www.456fis.org|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>


The engine developed for the AQM-60 was later modified for use on the long range nuclear tipped [[CIM-10 Bomarc]], which was used as a nationwide defense against nuclear bombers during the 1960s and early 1970s. An endurance variant of the same engine was produced for use in the [[Lockheed D-21]], which was launched from the back of a [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird]] mothership or from under the wing of a [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] nuclear bomber.<ref>Goodall and Goodall 2002, p. 106.</ref>
The engine developed for the AQM-60 was later modified for use on the long range nuclear tipped [[CIM-10 Bomarc]], which was used as a nationwide defense against nuclear bombers during the 1960s and early 1970s. An endurance variant of the same engine was produced for use in the [[Lockheed D-21]], which was launched from the back of a [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird]] mothership or from under the wing of a [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] nuclear bomber.<ref>Goodall and Goodall 2002, p. 106.</ref>

Revision as of 17:58, 18 January 2021

AQM-60 Kingfisher
AQM-60 Kingfisher awaiting loading onto its B-50 mothership before a test of US air defenses.
Role Target drone
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Lockheed
First flight April 1951
Primary user United States Air Force
Developed from Lockheed X-7

The AQM-60 Kingfisher, originally designated XQ-5, was a target drone version of the USAF's X-7 ramjet test aircraft built by the Lockheed Corporation. The aircraft was designed by Kelly Johnson, the designer who later created the Lockheed A-12 and its relatives, such as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and Lockheed YF-12.[1]

The X-7's development began in 1946 after a request from the USAF for a Mach 3 unmanned aerial vehicle for test purposes. This unmanned test craft eventually evolved into the Kingfisher, which was later used to test anti-missile systems such as the MIM-3 Nike Ajax, SAM-A-25/MIM-14 Nike Hercules, and IM-99/CIM-10.[2]

The Kingfisher was capable of evading the vast majority of weapons systems it was used to test, despite the systems being designed to destroy hypersonic missiles in flight. This created a significant amount of embarrassment at the USAF, resulting in considerable political fallout, which led to the discontinuation of production in 1959 and the cancellation of the project entirely in the mid-1960s.[3]

The engine developed for the AQM-60 was later modified for use on the long range nuclear tipped CIM-10 Bomarc, which was used as a nationwide defense against nuclear bombers during the 1960s and early 1970s. An endurance variant of the same engine was produced for use in the Lockheed D-21, which was launched from the back of a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird mothership or from under the wing of a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bomber.[4]

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Length: 38 ft 1 in (11.6 m)
  • Wingspan: 9 ft 10 in (3 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.1 m)
  • Gross weight: 7,937 lb (3,600 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Marquardt XRJ43-MA ramjet (Sustainer)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Thiokol XM45 (5KS50000) solid-fuel rockets, 50,000 lbf (222 kN) thrust each for 5s (Boosters)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 4.3
  • Range: 110 nmi (130 mi, 210 km)
  • Service ceiling: 98,000 ft (30,000 m)

References

  1. ^ "Johnson, Clarence Leonard - National Aviation Hall of Fame". nationalaviation.org. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  2. ^ Area 51 - Black Jets: A History of the Aircraft Developed at Groom Lake, Bill Yenne 2014, p.95
  3. ^ "The Lockheed X-7". www.456fis.org. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  4. ^ Goodall and Goodall 2002, p. 106.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lockheed X-7.
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