LTV L450F
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
|name=L450F |image=LTV L45ØF.jpg |caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type |type=Reconnaissance aircraft |manufacturer=Ling-Temco-Vought |first flight=February 1970 |introduced= |retired= |number built= |status= |primary user= United States Air Force |more users= |unit cost= |developed from= Schweizer SGS 2-32 |variants with their own articles = |developed into= LTV XQM-93 }} |
The LTV L450F, also known as the L45ØF, was a prototype quiet reconnaissance aircraft, developed by Ling-Temco-Vought in the late 1960s for use in the Vietnam War by the United States. Based on the airframe of a Schweizer 2-32 sailplane, the aircraft flew in 1970, and was developed into the XQM-93 reconnaissance drone before the project was cancelled.
Design and development
Developed as a follow on to the Igloo White program, the L450F was intended to provide a quiet reconnaissance and communications relay aircraft.Jane's 1971, p. 344-345 Under a $1 million USD contract by LTV Electrosystems, the L450F was developed from a Schweizer SGS 2-32 sailplane, modified by Schweizer to LTV's specifications.
These modifications included stronger wing spars, thicker wing skin, installation of a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engine driving a three-bladed propeller, and main landing gear based on that of the Grumman Ag-Cat agricultural aircraft. An alternative configuration, using a piston engine, was also proposed.
The prototype L450F first flew in February 1970, but was destroyed during its third flight, on 23 March that year, the pilot successfully bailing out. A second prototype was then completed and flown, successfully completing the testing program, and a third prototype was ordered as the unmanned XQM-93 drone, under the Compass Dwell project. Four examples of the XQM-93 were contracted for by the United States Air Force, however the Compass Dwell project was subsequently cancelled.Goebel, Greg. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130730032004/http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_12.html "The Prehistory of Endurance UAVs"]}}. VectorSite. Accessed 18 June 2010.
Operational history
File:LTV 450F out to pasture.jpg
27 March 1972 Donald R. Wilson reached the altitude of 15,456 m (50,708 ft) in horizontal flight flying the remaining L450F, registered N2450F, setting a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale international record, Class C-1c, Group II{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=1385 |title=Fai Record File |publisher=Fai.org |date= |accessdate=2012-05-05}} (Powered aeroplanes, takeoff weight 1000 to 1750 kg, turboprop). This record still stood as of 27 March 2012.
Specifications (prototype)
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See also
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References
=Notes=
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=Bibliography=
{{Refbegin}}
- Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–1972. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co, 1971. {{ISBN|0 354-000-942}}.
{{Refend}}
External links
{{commons category-inline|LTV L450F}}
{{Vought aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ltv L450f}}
Category:1970s United States experimental aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft