Lockheed AQM-60 Kingfisher
Lockheed · United States · first flew 1951 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Lockheed AQM-60 Kingfisher was an expendable supersonic target drone developed in the early 1950s to provide realistic high-speed targets for the development and testing of US surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles during the Cold War arms race.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 0 (unmanned) — supersonic target drone for missile testing
- Expendable drone designed to simulate Soviet bomber flight profiles
- Launched by rocket booster; no recovery intended
A slender delta-wing expendable drone with a rocket booster attached at launch; too small to be mistaken for a manned aircraft, though its delta planform is distinctive.
Specifications
- The Lockheed AQM-60 Kingfisher has a length of 9.07 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.51 m (12 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1770 km/h (1100 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Kingfisher was designed to simulate fast, high-altitude Soviet bombers, allowing interceptor missiles such as the Nike Ajax to be tested against realistic targets. It was rocket-boosted to altitude and speed before its turbojet sustained the flight profile. The programme provided valuable data for early US air-defence missile development in the 1950s.
Variants
Several sub-variants with different booster and engine combinations were evaluated; the XQ-6 designation was also associated with early development.
Where you'll see it
Used by the US Army and USAF for missile testing and training; never operational as a weapon.
Related aircraft
- Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
- F-104 Starfighter
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Lockheed C-121 Constellation
- Lockheed X-7
- Grumman S-2 Tracker
- Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
- North American X-10
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.