Unmanned III.

This is coolbert:

In the years following the end of World War Two [WW2], there was a ferment of activity in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles [UAV].

These were cruise missile type UAV designed to deliver a heavy nuclear payloads over a long distance.

Development went on simultaneously in the Soviet Union and the United States. Both nations succeeding in producing cruise missile type UAV that deployed.

Had the appearance of nothing more than airplanes without cockpits, landing gear, etc. NO MAN, disposable equipment [fire and forget, one-time launch]. NOT INTENDED for reuse.

[these cruise missile UAV did offer certain design advantages. Without the pilot, the need for a cockpit, landing gear, etc., you can maximize aerodynamic design. Fly higher, faster, longer, etc. A “superior” aerial vehicle is possible!!??]

These can be considered to be “second-generation” cruise missile UAV. More advanced and capable that the German “buzz bomb”.

These weapon systems of course were developed BEFORE the intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] became reliable and deployed in numbers. Were seen as a stop-gap measure. BUT DID NOT DEPLOY IN NUMBERS AND WERE RAPIDLY DECOMMISSIONED!!

It should also be kept in mind that when these cruise missile UAV were developed [1950’s], electronics for control, guidance, command, etc., was at a stage hardly even close to what is available today [2007]. Miniaturized electronic circuits, computers, GPS, etc., were JUST NOT AVAILABLE. Designers at the time did the best they could with was at their disposal!!]

One such unmanned aircraft [a cruise missile actually], was the Soviet TU-123. A/k/a Yastreb or rocket "C". A long range aerial vehicle capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. Resembles a standard airplane without the cockpit. Obviously no cockpit was needed, as the "airplane" was unmanned. Operated autonomously, pre-programmed on the ground prior to launch.



A second such unmanned aircraft [also better defined as a cruise missile] was the U.S. cruise missile Snark. Definitely looked like an airplane minus the cockpit for the pilot. Again, as was the Yastreb, was a long range nuclear weapons delivery system. Would be pre-programmed on the ground, launched, and fly on a one way mission to the Soviet Union.



[the Snark was on deployment for one month total before being scrapped. A colossal amount of money must have spent on the "plane", all more or less for nothing!!]

[cruise missiles such as Yastreb and Snark were pushing the envelope big time in the area of remote controls, programming, etc. What existed at the time was systems of dubious reliability and precision. These "systems", when delivering a nuclear warhead, DID NOT have to have pin-point accuracy either. In the ball-park was adequate.]

That TU-123 is still going, surprisingly enough. NOT as a cruise missile, NOW as an authentic UAV. This is the “Reis” Russian TU-243. A reconnaissance UAV complete with EO [electro-optic], cameras, radar, infra-red, SIGINT [signal intelligence] capability. Is being used in Chechnya, right now, as we speak!!??

coolbert.