Fleetwings A-1

A-1
Role	Target drone
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Kaiser-Fleetwings
First flight	1939
Primary user	USAAC
Number built	1

The Fleetwings A-1 was an American target drone manufactured by Kaiser-Fleetwings.

Design and development

The A-1 was built in 1939 as a small aerial gunnery target. It was flown unmanned and controlled by radio commands from the ground. ^[1] It was a mid-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. The A-1 utilized a Radio Frequency Laboratories control unit, broadcasting on 73 MHz; control was by traditional aircraft-style controls operated by the controller; alternatively the controller could wear a control yoke on a chest-mounted support. ^[2]

Operational history

Manufacturer's flight trials of the A-1 were conducted at Boonton Township Airfield; following them delivery was made to the Aberdeen Proving Ground for Army trials. The first Army test flight ended in the aircraft crashing, and the project was abandoned. ^[2]

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: none
• Wingspan: 20 ft 0 in (6.0 m)
• Powerplant: 1 × unknown , 80 hp (60 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 180 mph (290 km/h, 160 kn)
• Endurance: 1 hours 0 minutes
• Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

References

1. "A Series". www.designation-systems.net.
2. Wolf, William (2021). Off Target: America’s Guided Bombs, Missiles and Drones 1917-1950. Oxford, England: Fonthill Media. ISBN   978-1-78155-816-4 . Retrieved 11 December 2024.