AQM-38 Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Northrop (Radioplane) AQM-38

In the late 1950's, Northrop's Radioplane division developed the RP-76 subscale radio-controlled recoverable target drone. Beginning in 1959, it was used by the Army for surface-to-air missile training, mainly with the MIM-3 Nike-Ajax.

The RP-76 was usually launched from USAF F-89 Scorpion aircraft, and was powered by an Aerojet solid-fuel rocket motor, which produced a thrust of 160 N (37 lb) for about 9 minutes. The drone had two rocket exhausts at the sides of the fuselage, and could reach a speed of Mach 0.94. The RP-76 was controlled in flight by an automatic control system with optional override by radio command, and could be recovered by a two-stage parachute system. The RP-76 had a unique set of flying surfaces, with 3 forward control fins, and a fixed horizontal tailplane located below the ventral vertical tail. Equipment included a Luneberg lens for radar reflectivity augmentation, and a Northrop RPTA-1 tracking aid system.

The Model RP-78 was the U.S. Navy's variant of the RP-76. It used a higher-thrust rocket motor, which allowed supersonic speeds of up to Mach 1.25. Other than most U.S. Naval drones before 1963, the RP-78 has apparently never received a KD type designation.

In June 1963, the RP-76 and RP-78 were designated as AQM-38A and AQM-38B, respectively. More then 2000 AQM-38 targets were built, and they were used until the mid-1970s.

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for AQM-38A/B:

[1] R.T. Pretty, D.H.R. Archer (eds.): "Jane's Weapon Systems 1970-71", McGraw-Hill, 1970
[2] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960
[3] Norman J. Bowman: "The Handbook of Rockets and Guided Missiles", Perastadion Press, 1963

Manufacturer: Northrop. Liftoff Thrust: 441 N (99 lbf). Maximum range: 65 km (40 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Command Link. Maximum speed: 1,450 kph (900 mph). Ceiling: 24,400 m (80,000 ft).