DRDO hands over Indigenous launcher for PTA-KD2R5 to Indian Army

[sudhir007]

DRDO hands over Indigenous launcher for PTA-KD2R5 to Indian Army | idrw.org

DRDO has handed over Indigenous launcher for imported Pilot less Target Aircraft -KD2R5 to Indian Army . Northrop KD2R5 “Shelduck” basic training drone has been used by Indian army for Target practice at Army Air defence college (AADC) . Earlier Army was using Northrop developed imported launcher , DRDO was able to carry out modifications on Nishant UAV Launcher to enable it to launch PTA-KD2R5 for Indian army .

First Launch using Nishant UAV’s Mobile Hydro-Pneumatic Launcher (MHPL) was carried out in Feb of this year and after many trials , Army accepted the system, by using Indigenous launcher , India will be able to save money since Indigenous launcher is much cheaper then the imported one .

 

[BlueDot_in_Space]

they even import target drones!! ahhhh.

 

[1nd1a]

more information for enthusiast.........

The Northrop KD2R5 "Shelduck" basic training drone was used internationally by the armed forces of at least 18 countries. The KD2R5 was used as a training device for ground-to-air gunnery practice. It was also used as a training target for surface-to-air missiles such as the Seacat, Tigercat, Redeye, Blowpipe, Sparrow, Chaparral, Hawk, Sidewinder and Nike.

Radioplane built a series of improved targets, though details are unclear, unsurprising given the obscurity of the subject as well as the multiple and confusing designations applied to each model.
The ultimate result of this evolution, the "MQM-36 (originally KD2R-5) Shelduck" gunnery target, is well-known, and in fact remains in service. Design of the Shelduck began in1946, with first flight in 1947. It is larger and more businesslike than the RP-5A, and is powered by a flat-four four-stroke McCulloch piston engine with 95 horsepower. The Shelduck can carry radar enhancement devices on its wingtips.

Northrop Radioplane MQM-36 "Shelduck" / KD2R-5:
Wingspan: 3.5 meters: 11 feet 6 inches
Length: 3.85 meters: 12 feet 8 inches
Height: 0.76 meters: 2 feet 6 inches
Empty weight: 123 kilograms : 271 pounds
Launch weight: 163 kilograms : 360 pounds
Maximum speed: 370 KPH : 230 MPH / 200 KT
Service ceiling : 7,000 meters : 23,000 feet
Endurance: 1 hour
Launch scheme: RATO booster or bungee catapult
Recovery scheme: Parachute
Guidance System: Radio control

Radioplane KD2R5 "Shelduck" Basic Training Target Drone
Mounted on Launch Stand
(WMoF Archive / Northrop photo)
Design of the drone was started in 1946 and the prototype flew for the first time in 1947. Since then, more than 55,000 of this type, including early KD2R versions were built.

NORTHROP UNMANNED
TARGET DRONE
Drones like this were designed to be aerial targets for fighter aircraft and ground fired missiles.
They were powered by a small jet engine, had maximum a speed of approximately 650 mph and could stay airborne for up to 2 hours.
They featured a parachute recovery and an autopilot with radio control.

Northrop KD2R5 "Shelduck" Basic Training Target Drone