Drone, Target, KDN-1
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Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Naval Aircraft Modification Unit
- Summary
- This is the KDN-1 drone, a version of the U.S. Navy's Gorgon missile. It dates from the immediate post-World War II period (1946-1947). The Bureau of Aeronautics managed development and production, which took place at the Naval Aircraft Modification Unit at Johnsville, Pennsylvania. A small turbojet engine powered the KDN-1 to speeds reaching 500 miles per hour. It also incorporated preset controls, a radio-command guidance system, and a parachute for recovery and reuse. The Navy Reserve used the drone for gunnery practice at the Navy Test Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The Navy donated the KDN-1 shown here to the Smithsonian in 1965.
- Credit Line
- Transferred from U.S. Navy
- ca. 1946-1947
- Inventory Number
- A19660034000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
- Materials
- Overall, wood; steel cables inside front compartment; steel screws; actuator for controlling wings, steel; wire, with plastic insulation inside; some fabric covering on one compartment at front, on top of fuselage.
- Dimensions
- Overall: 4ft 2in. x 16ft 3in. x 1ft 10in. x 10ft 9in. (127 x 495.3 x 55.88 x 327.66cm)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19660034000
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9f57497e0-6791-4f0a-85b6-af492e4effe4
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