Beech MQM-61 Cardinal
The Beech Model 1025 Cardinal was the U.S. Army variant of the U.S. Navy's KDB/MQM-39 target drone (q.v. for further details). The Cardinal was almost identical to the MQM-39, and was used by the Army from 1958 for surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile and gunnery training. Beech also designed a turbojet-powered version, known as Model 1025-TJ, but this was not adopted by the Army.
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| Photo: U.S. Army | Photo: via Jane's | |
| MQM-61A | ||
In June 1963, the Cardinal was designated as MQM-61A. When production ended in 1972, more than 1300 Cardinals had been built for the Army.
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for MQM-61A:
| Length | 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in) |
| Wingspan | 3.95 m (12 ft 11.5 in) |
| Height | 1.02 m (3 ft 4 in) |
| Diameter | 45 cm (17.75 in) |
| Weight | 301 kg (664 lb) |
| Speed | 560 km/h (350 mph) |
| Ceiling | 13100 m (43000 ft) |
| Endurance | > 60 min. |
| Range | > 500 km (300 miles) |
| Propulsion | McCulloch TC6150-J-2 flat-six turbocharged piston engine; 93 kW (125 hp) |
Main Sources
[1] R.T. Pretty, D.H.R. Archer (eds.): "Jane's Weapon Systems 1970-71", McGraw-Hill, 1970
[2] Kenneth Munson: "World Unmanned Aircraft", Jane's, 1988
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Last Updated: 30 April 2002