|
The GAF Jindivik is a target drone produced by the Australian Government Aircraft Factory (GAF). The name is from an Aboriginal Australian word meaning ''the hunted one''.〔 Two manned prototypes, were built as GAF Pikas (Project C〔(''Flight'' 1952 )〕) as a proof of concept to test the aerodynamics, engine and radio control systems, serialled ''A92-1/2'', 'B-1/2'. The unmanned variant was initially designated the Project B and received serials in the A93 series. Pika is an Aboriginal Australian word meaning ''flier''.〔Bridgman, Leonard, compiler and editor, "Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1952–53", McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1952, pages 91–92.〕 ==Design and development== The Jindivik was developed as a result of a bilateral agreement between Australia and the UK regarding guided missile testing. While the UK provided the missiles, Australia provided test facilities, such as the Woomera Test Range. As a result of the talks, Australia gained the contract for developing an unmanned target aircraft to Ministry of Supply specification E.7/48.〔(''Flight'' Jindivik in theory and practice )〕 The specification called for an aircraft capable of a 15-minute sortie at 40,000 ft (12 200 m). Development began in 1948,〔Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles Jindivik〕 with the first flight of the Pika in 1950〔(RAAF Museum Point Cook, article on GAF Jindivik )〕 and the first flight of the Jindivik Mk.1 in August 1952.〔 The manned prototype, known as the Pika, had side air intakes to make room for the cockpit and because the small wheel landing gear operated from a pneumatic reservoir.〔''Flight'' 1952 p. 512〕 The unmanned version, the Jindivik, followed the same basic form except that it had a single skid instead of an undercarriage and a dorsal air intake located where the Pika's cockpit was. The Jindivik Mk.1 was powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Adder (ASA.1) turbojet, which had been developed as a disposable engine for the project. Only 14 Mk.1s were ever made. The Mk.2 was powered by a 1,640 lb〔(''Flight'' 1956 )〕 Armstrong Siddeley Viper engine. The Viper was also intended for a short lifespan – about 10 hours, but a "long life" version was also produced for conventional aircraft. The control systems were manufactured by various firms including Elliott Brothers, GEC and McMichael, with assistance from the Royal Aircraft Establishment.〔''Flight'' 17 February 1961 p. 211〕 Control was maintained through an autopilot that received radio commands from the ground, rather than direct flight by a ground controller.〔 Eighteen commands could be issued to the autopilot with six further commands for the operation of other onboard equipment. The drone was launched via a self-steering trolley. At , the drone was designed to apply its flaps, push the elevators up and release the trolley. Landing was made at . Two controllers (azimuth and elevation) were used to align the drone on the runway. On landing it touched down on its skid and banking would cause the wingtip "shoes" to touch the runway, which controlled its path down the runway as it slowed. Between 1952 and 1986, a total of 502 aircraft were produced. Examples for use in the United Kingdom were shipped by surface transport, and assembled and tested by Fairey Aviation at Hayes, Middlesex, and Manchester Airport. In 1997, the production line was re-opened to build another 15 for Britain.〔(The Bulletin: Bird of Prey )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「GAF Jindivik」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|