SD-2 Overseer
a black and white film photo of a large unmanned drone being launched near an old vehicle
Role Reconnassiance drone
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aerojet General
First flight c.1959
Retired late 1960s
Primary user United States Army
Number built 35

The Aerojet SD-2 Overseer was an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Aerojet General and Rheem Manufacturing Co.[1] in the late 1950s for use by the United States Army. Built in limited numbers, it never saw operational service.

Design and development

Development of the SD-2 drone began in 1957 by the Rheem Manufacturing Company, and the project continued through the company's acquisition by Aerojet General in 1959.[2] Developed as part of the AN/USD-2 surveillance system, the SD-2 was designed for truck launch using two solid rocket boosters; following launch, a piston engine provided propulsion. At the end of its mission, the drone would be recovered via parachute.[2] Control was provided from a translateration system for navigation (similar to the much later differential GPS technology), which allowed the aircraft to steer on a pre-programmed course.[3]

The SD-2 was designed to use a modular sensor system, allowing equipment to be switched between missions according to requirements. Available payloads included cameras for either recovered or real-time photography, an AN/AAD-2 infrared sensor, AN/DPD-2 side looking airborne radar, or equipment for the dispensing of biological or chemical warfare agents from tanks mounted under the wings of the aircraft.[3]

Operational history

Thirty-five production SD-2s were produced. Poor results from the navigation system resulted in the system's cancellation in 1966, and the program was terminated without any Overseers having seen operational service.[3] In 1963, the SD-2 was given the designation MQM-58A under the revised designation system.[2]

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 16 ft 1 in (4.9 m)
  • Wingspan: 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m)
  • Height: 3 ft 7 in (1.09 m)
  • Wing area: 27.8 sq ft (2.58 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.4
  • Gross weight: 992 lb (450 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,124 lb (510 kg) without boosters; 1,334 lb (605 kg) including boosters
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming LIO-360-B1B horizontally opposed piston engine, 225 hp (168 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 345 mph (556 km/h, 300 kn)
  • Combat range: 115 mi (185 km, 100 nmi)
  • Endurance: 45 minutes
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

Avionics

  • 234 lb (106 kg) equipment capacity.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Mission ensured with a reliable Rheem drone system. // Aviation Week & Space Technology, February 9, 1959, v. 70, no. 6, p. 76.
  2. 1 2 3 Parsch 2002.
  3. 1 2 3 Newcome 2004, p.74.
  4. ↑ Taylor 1965, p. 351.
Bibliography
  • Newcome, Lawrence R. (2004). Unmanned Aviation: A Brief History of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. ISBN 978-1-56347-644-0.
  • Parsch, Andreas (2002). "Aerojet General SD-2/MQM-58 Overseer". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1965). Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1965-1966. London: Sampson Low,. Marston & Company Ltd.
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