PQM-56A Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Modified Nord CT.41

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Nord/Bell CT.41/PQM-56

In 1957, Nord Aviation in France began the development of the CT.41 supersonic aerial target, which was ready for production in mid-1959. The CT.41 was powered by twin ramjets, boosted to Mach 1.7 ramjet ignition speed by two solid-fuel rocket motors, and recovered after the mission by parachute. It could reach a speed of Mach 2.7, and was controlled by a two-way radio-command link and an onboard autopilot. To simulate a bomber aircraft, the CT.41 could be fitted with various simulation equipment, like multi-band radar transponders and infrared flares.

In the United States, Bell acquired license-production rights on the CT.41, after the U.S. Navy had expressed interest in the target. Bell-built CT.41s were used by the Navy for a relatively short time during the 1960s, and in June 1963, the targets were designated as PQM-56A. By the early 1970s, the CT.41 was no longer operational with the U.S. Navy.

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

Data for PQM-56A:

[1] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960
[2] Norman J. Bowman: "The Handbook of Rockets and Guided Missiles", Perastadion Press, 1963
[3] R.T. Pretty, D.H.R. Archer (eds.): "Jane's Weapon Systems 1972-73", Jane's, 1973

Manufacturer: Nord (France)/Bell.