The Skeet, also designated KD2C-2, was a pulsejet-powered, air-launched expendable U.S. Navy drone designed for conventional fleet gunnery training. It was unusual in that its pulsejet was internally mounted. The endurance of the drone was 30 minutes and top speed was 300 knots.
The Skeet project was started in 1945 by the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Company, and their first experimental model was produced in 1947. The internally mounted pulsejet arrangement was found unsatisfactory since it produced low speed and high fuel consumption in both wind tunnel and flight tests at the Navy's Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California. The project was cancelled in 1949. The Skeet was donated to the Smithsonian in 1971 by the U.S. Navy.
Display Status
This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
Curtiss Aeroplane Company
Dimensions
Overall: 5 ft. 2 in. tall x 11 ft. 11 in. wide x 17 ft. 4 in. long x 10 ft. 11 in. wing span, 825 lb. (157.48 x 363.22 x 528.32 x 332.74cm, 374.2kg)
Materials
Overall aluminum, sheets inside reading AA-13 ALCLAD; steel around external plug receptacle on top of body; steel suspension hooks attached to top of fuselage; tips of radar, steel; flush rivets, steel; separate spark plug, ceramic; insulators for radio receiver, ceramic; gauges, two, possibly brass, with glass faces; screw fasteners to panels, steel; hoisting lug, non-ferrous, probably aluminum; larger hoisting lugs on each side, steel
Alternate Name
Skeet (KDC-2)
Inventory Number
A19710757000
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Navy
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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