Globe KD6G Firefly
| KD6G Firefly | |
|---|---|
| Role | Target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Built by | Globe Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 1951 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Developed from | Globe KD2G Firefly |
The Globe KD6G Firefly was an American target drone, built by the Globe Aircraft Corporation for operation by the United States Navy during the 1950s and early 1960s.
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Design and development [edit]
The design of the KD6G was based on the earlier Globe KD2G Firefly target drone, featuring a mid-wing configuration with a twin-fin empennage, but instead of a pulsejet powerplant as in the KD2G the KD6G was fitted with a single piston engine in a tractor configuration. Launched via catapult, the KD6G was radio-controlled during flight, and, if it was not shot down in the course of its mission, would be recovered via parachute.[1]
Operational history [edit]
First flying in prototype form in 1951, the KD6G proved successful and was ordered into production in two forms, the KD6G-1 with a McCullough O-100 engine, and the KD6G-2 with a Kiekhaefer V-105 powerplant.[1] Used extensively by the United States Navy during the 1950s in the gunnery training role, the KD6G-2 was redesignated in 1963 in the new unified missile sequence, becoming the MQM-40A before being retired soon thereafter.[1]
Variants [edit]
- XKD6G-1
- Prototype with McCullogh O-100-1 engine[1]
- KD6G-1
- Production version of XKD6G-1[2]
- KD6G-2
- Production version with Kiekhaefer V-105-2 engine[2]
- XQM-40A
- Initial redesignation of KD6G-2[1]
- MQM-40A
- Final redesignation of KD6G-2[1]
Survivors [edit]
A KD6G-2 is on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum;[3] another is at the Planes of Fame Air Museum.[1]
Specifications (KD6G-2) [edit]
Data from Parsch[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
- Wingspan: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
- Height: 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Kiekhaefer V-105-2 piston engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 265 mph (426 km/h; 230 kn)
- Endurance: 60 min
See also [edit]
- Related development
- Related lists
References [edit]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Fahey, James Charles (1958). The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Ships and Aircraft Publishers. ASIN B000XG6YU6.
- Parsch, Andreas (2002). "Globe MQM-40 Firefly". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
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