Fairchild US Army AN/USD-5 Osprey Recon Drone Engineering Prototype Desk Model

Description: Balsa Wood SD-5 Reconnaissance Drone Model Measures approximately 28" overall length without the wooden box. Possibly a wind tunnel model. The paint is flaking in some areas. A portion of a Fairchild decal is missing. There are additional photos below the description. "The Fairchild SD-5 Osprey was an early high-speed reconnaissance drone developed by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Army. Intended for use by the U.S. Army Signal Corps to target tactical ballistic missiles, it was cancelled before the first prototype could be completed, and did not see operational service. Given the full designation AN/USD-5 for its overall system,[2] the SD-5 was of tailless delta configuration,[3] with power provided by a Pratt & Whitney J60 turbojet (the military version of the civilian JT12 engine);[4] a single rocket booster of the jet-assisted takeoff type, giving 40,000 lbf (180 kN) thrust for 3 seconds, allowed for zero length launch from a specially-designed trailer. Recovery following the mission was by parachute, with airbags used to cushion the landing; sensors including infrared scanners, side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) and optical mapping were available for use, and could be recovered following the mission, or transmitted during the mission via telemetry.[2] Guidance during the mission was provided by an inertial navigation system and autopilot. The first flight of the SD-5 took place in May 1960;[2] fifteen prototypes were constructed for the test program, with Fairchild quoting a cost per drone of $350,000-$400,000 USD for production aircraft.[5] An operational date of 1964 was anticipated; however, due to the cost of the program, the SD-5 was cancelled in November 1962 before entering service." - 'Fairchild SD-5 Osprey' Wikipedia

Price: 4999.95 USD

Location: Boyertown, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-08-24T11:16:48.000Z

Shipping Cost: 150 USD