AQM-41 Petrel
Encyclopedia
The AUM-N-2 Petrel was an air-to -surface missile
produced by the United States of America. Later variants were converted into AQM-41A target drones.
(BuOrd) began the Kingfisher program, intending to develop a series of standoff torpedo
weapons. The Kingfisher C, later known as the AUM-2 and then as AUM-N-2 (AUM representing Air-to-Underwater Missile), was designed as an air-launched jet-powered missile which carried a torpedo warhead. Various different design options were considered for this missile; the final choice was a Mark 21 homing torpedo, with a Fairchild J44
turbojet engine, wooden fins and wings, and a nose housing guidance equipment. On launch the missile dropped to 60 meters (200 feet) above the water and cruised at Mach
0.5 towards the target, using semi-active radar homing
. At a range of just under 1,500 meters (4,600 feet) the engine shut down and all wings and fins were jettisoned. The torpedo dropped on a free trajectory into the water and began to home in on the target. The weapon was suitable for use against surface targets only—primarily ships and surfaced submarines. The AUM-2 was usually carried by the Lockheed
P-2 Neptune
.
Tests of the AUM-2 began in 1951. Development was transferred to Fairchild in 1954, with the project becoming operational in 1956.
The Petrel was never considered a very high priority by the U.S. Navy, which was far more concerned about the threat from submarines than surface ships. New submarine designs powered by nuclear reactors were beginning to appear in the mid-1950s, vessels which could remain submerged indefinitely. As a result the prospects of catching an enemy submarine on the surface were receding, and more emphasis was being placed on underwater engagements. The use of semi-active guidance also required the launching aircraft to continue closing the target throughout the missile's flight, exposing it to a far greater danger from enemy defenses. The AUM-N-2 was initially assigned only to reserve units. In 1959 the missiles were withdrawn from even reserve service and converted to serve as air-launched target drones.
In 1962, the remaining Petrel drones were designated as the AQM-41A. They were finally disposed of shortly afterwards.
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
produced by the United States of America. Later variants were converted into AQM-41A target drones.
Design and development
The origins of the Petrel date back to the 1950s, when the U.S. Navy Bureau of OrdnanceBureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
(BuOrd) began the Kingfisher program, intending to develop a series of standoff torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
weapons. The Kingfisher C, later known as the AUM-2 and then as AUM-N-2 (AUM representing Air-to-Underwater Missile), was designed as an air-launched jet-powered missile which carried a torpedo warhead. Various different design options were considered for this missile; the final choice was a Mark 21 homing torpedo, with a Fairchild J44
Fairchild J44
|-See also:-References:* The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines, William Fleming and Richard Leyes, AIAA, 1999-External links:*...
turbojet engine, wooden fins and wings, and a nose housing guidance equipment. On launch the missile dropped to 60 meters (200 feet) above the water and cruised at Mach
Mach number
Mach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure...
0.5 towards the target, using semi-active radar homing
Semi-active radar homing
Semi-active radar homing, or SARH, is a common type of missile guidance system, perhaps the most common type for longer-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems. The name refers to the fact that the missile itself is only a passive detector of a radar signal – provided by an external ...
. At a range of just under 1,500 meters (4,600 feet) the engine shut down and all wings and fins were jettisoned. The torpedo dropped on a free trajectory into the water and began to home in on the target. The weapon was suitable for use against surface targets only—primarily ships and surfaced submarines. The AUM-2 was usually carried by the Lockheed
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
P-2 Neptune
P-2 Neptune
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
.
Tests of the AUM-2 began in 1951. Development was transferred to Fairchild in 1954, with the project becoming operational in 1956.
The Petrel was never considered a very high priority by the U.S. Navy, which was far more concerned about the threat from submarines than surface ships. New submarine designs powered by nuclear reactors were beginning to appear in the mid-1950s, vessels which could remain submerged indefinitely. As a result the prospects of catching an enemy submarine on the surface were receding, and more emphasis was being placed on underwater engagements. The use of semi-active guidance also required the launching aircraft to continue closing the target throughout the missile's flight, exposing it to a far greater danger from enemy defenses. The AUM-N-2 was initially assigned only to reserve units. In 1959 the missiles were withdrawn from even reserve service and converted to serve as air-launched target drones.
In 1962, the remaining Petrel drones were designated as the AQM-41A. They were finally disposed of shortly afterwards.
Specifications
- Length : 24 ft (7.31 m)
- Wingspan : 13 ft 2 in (4.06 m)
- Diameter : 24 in (61 cm)
- Weight : 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
- Speed : 375 mph (600 km/h)
- Range : 20 nm (37 km)
- Propulsion : Fairchild J44 turbojet, thrust 1,000 lbf (4.4 kN)
- Warhead : As AUM-N-2, one Mark 21 torpedo with 900 kg (2,000 lb) warhead. As AQM-41A, none.