North American MQM-42
| MQM-42 Redhead | |
|---|---|
 MQM-42A | |
| Type | Target drone |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961 - mid-1970s[1] |
| Used by | United States Army |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation (airframe), Marquardt (ramjet) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 400 kilograms (880 lb) |
| Length | 7.57 metres (24.8 ft) |
| Diameter | 30 centimetres (12 in) |
| Wingspan | 1.90 metres (6 ft 3 in) |
| Propellant | solid-fuel booster Marquardt MA-74 ramjet sustainer |
Operational range | 400 kilometres (250 mi) |
| Flight ceiling | 18,000 metres (59,000 ft) |
| Maximum speed | Between Mach .09 and Mach 2+ |
The MQM-42 Redhead was an American high altitude supersonic drone manufactured by North American Aviation (as model NA-273 Redhead/Roadrunner) used by the U.S. Army for testing and training as a high-performance target for the MIM-23 Hawk air-defense missile system.
The Redhead variant was used for high-altitude testing and the Roadrunner for low altitude. The MQM-42 was launched by a Rocketdyne solid-propellant RATO booster, derived from the solid fuel motor for the U.S. Army's Little John battlefield rocket, and was recovered by parachute. NAA manufactured the NA-273 in Columbus, Ohio. The sustainer engine was a Marquardt MA-74 ramjet.
In June 1963, it was designated as MQM-42A.
References
- ^ "North American MQM-42 Redhead/Roadrunner". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles.
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