Globe KD2G Firefly

KD2G Firefly
	KD2G-1
Role	Target drone
National origin	United States
Built by	Globe Aircraft Corporation
First flight	1946
Retired	~1954
Primary user	United States Navy
Developed from	Globe KDG Snipe
Developed into	Globe KD6G Firefly

The Globe KD2G Firefly was a pulsejet-powered American target drone, built by the Globe Aircraft Corporation for operation by the United States Navy in the late 1940s, seeing operational use into the mid-1950s.

Design and development[]

The KD2G was a mid-wing, twin-tailed aircraft of similar design to the KDG Snipe which Globe was already supplying to the Navy. A single McDonnell PJ42 pulsejet engine was mounted atop the rear of the fuselage.^[1] The fuselage was constructed of steel tubing with a duralumin monocoque covering; dural was also used for the flying surfaces.^[2] The KD2G was equipped with radio control with an effective range of 6,000 yards (5,500 m); it could be launched using a catapult, or launched aerially from JD-1 or F7F-2D aircraft.^[2] Recovery, if it survived its mission, was by a 32-foot (9.8 m) diameter parachute; the Firefly was designed to be able to float for up to 15 minutes in the event of a water landing.^[2]

Operational history[]

First flying as the XKD2G-1 prototype during 1946, the KD2G-1 entered service with the United States Navy during 1947. The improved KD2G-2, powered by a Solar PJ32 pulsejet, began production in 1950;^[1] it was the first successful jet-powered target drone to be developed following the end of World War II.^[3] The KD2G remained in service through the mid-1950s, being replaced by the KD6G.^[1]

Variants[]

XKD2G-1: Prototype with McDonnell PJ42 engine.^[1]

KD2G-1: Production version of XKD2G-1 with 28-volt electrical system.^[1]

KD2G-2: Improved production model with Solar PJ32 engine.^[1]

Specifications (KD2G-2)[]

Data from Standard Aircraft Characteristics^[2]

General characteristics

Crew: None
Length: 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m)
Wingspan: 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Height: 2 ft 3 in (0.69 m)
Wing area: 20.66 sq ft (1.919 m²)
Empty weight: 191 lb (87 kg)
Gross weight: 311 lb (141 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 320 lb (145 kg)
Fuel capacity: 20 US gallons (76 l; 17 imp gal)
Powerplant: 1 × Solar PJ32-S-4 pulsejet, 107 lbf (0.48 kN) thrust

Performance

Maximum speed: 242 mph; 389 km/h (210 kn)
Stall speed: 62 mph; 100 km/h (54 kn) power on
Combat range: 100 mi; 161 km (87 nmi)
Endurance: 26 minutes
Rate of climb: 2,180 ft/min (11.1 m/s) at sea level
Time to altitude: 2 minutes to 4,000 feet (1,200 m); 4.9 minutes to 8,000 feet (2,400 m)
Wing loading: 14.9 lb/sq ft (73 kg/m²)

Avionics

AN/ARW-26Y radio control system

References[]

Citations

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 Parsch 2005
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Standard Aircraft Characteristics: Globe KD2G-2. NAVAER 1335B. Bureau of Aeronautics, 1 August 1950.
↑ White 1992, p.27.

Bibliography

Parsch, Andreas (2005). "Globe KD2G Firefly". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app1/kd2g.html. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
White, Maxwell (1992). Datelines, a history of Navy missile testing at Point Mugu, California. Point Mugu, CA: Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division. ASIN B002Y5WHDC.

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Globe KD2G Firefly and the edit history here.

[DS-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 Parsch 2005

[SAC-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Standard Aircraft Characteristics: Globe KD2G-2. NAVAER 1335B. Bureau of Aeronautics, 1 August 1950.

[3] White 1992, p.27.

[1]

[2]

[3]