Introduction
The **D‑17B** was a semi‑expendable, radio‑controlled target drone developed in the 1950s for the United States Army and Navy.
Its design emphasized low cost, rapid assembly, and realistic flight characteristics, allowing it to serve as a live‑fire target for early air‑to‑air and surface‑to‑air missile systems. The drone incorporated an automatic self‑destruct mechanism and a simple VHF command interface, features that later became standard in many expendable UAVs.
Design and Development
Prototype and Testing
- First Prototype (D‑17A): Constructed in 1953 from laminated spruce‑balsa and aluminum alloy 2024‑T3.
- First Flight: 15 March 1953 at Patuxent River, reaching 235 mph and a 7,800‑ft ceiling.
- Design Review: Identified the need for improved radio signal integrity, leading to the D‑17B variant in 1954.
Production
- Production line managed by a civilian contractor, yielding 1,500 units from 1953–1958.
- Unit cost: ~$3,500 (1950s dollars).
- Routine maintenance intervals were a few weeks due to the rugged airframe and simplified avionics.
Design Features
Airframe and Materials
- Semi‑monocoque aluminum alloy 2024‑T3 with a honeycomb core.
- Honeycomb‑core fuselage and epoxy‑coated wings reduce drag and flex.
- Twin‑fin tail provides precise yaw control.
Powerplant and Propulsion
- Single 35‑hp air‑cooled Continental flat‑four engine (derived from the O‑200).
- Fixed‑pitch 28‑inch propeller delivers 230 mph max speed and 30‑min endurance.
- 10 gal aviation gasoline capacity supports typical training missions.
Avionics and Control
- VHF radio‑control at 129 MHz for pitch, roll, and throttle.
- Servo‑driven aileron and elevator system for maneuvering.
- Analog barometric auto‑pilot maintains altitude.
- Radio‑activated self‑destruct circuit enables safe termination of the drone.
Flight Characteristics
- Max sustained speed: 230 mph; ceiling: 7,500 ft.
- Climb rate: 1,200 ft/min; descent rate: 900 ft/min.
- Glide ratio ~6:1; can perform gentle turns at bank angles up to 30°.
Operational History
Deployment in Air Defense Training
- First used by the Army’s Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in 1954.
- Live‑fire exercises with AIM‑9 Sidewinder and MIM‑22 Redeye.
- Approximately 1,200 units deployed across North American defense sites by decade’s end.
Use by the U.S. Army and Navy
- Integrated into Navy’s Surface‑to‑Air Training Center at NAS North Island.
- Ground‑launch via pneumatic catapult; parachute recovery for occasional refurbishment.
- Cross‑branch training standardized missile launch procedures.
Notable Training Exercises
- 1956 Fort Worth Exercise: 24 sorties in one day, 92 % success.
- 1957 Atlantic Fleet Exercise at NAS Key West: Simulated high‑speed intruders for squadron pilots.
- Signal repeatability improvements introduced low‑frequency carriers to reduce interference.
Variants
| Variant | Year | Max Speed | Ceiling | Endurance |
|--------|------|-----------|---------|-----------|
| **D‑17A** | 1953 | 200 mph | 6,000 ft | 20 min |
| **D‑17B** | 1954 | 230 mph | 7,500 ft | 25 min |
| **D‑17C** | 1955 | 235 mph | 8,000 ft | 30 min |
| **D‑17E** | 1957 | 235 mph | 8,000 ft | 30 min; includes infrared tracking features |
Legacy and Influence
The **D‑17B**’s emphasis on cost‑effective production, expendability, and realistic flight profiles influenced later UAV programs such as the Q‑20 and the O‑3V. Its simple radio‑controlled interface proved the feasibility of remote navigation for small airframes, while the self‑destruct mechanism became a common feature in many expendable platforms. Data from D‑17B flight tests informed the design of early guidance systems, contributing indirectly to the evolution of radar‑guided and infrared‑guided missile seekers.
Further Reading
- Smith, J. Early Target Drones in the 1950s. Military Aviation Review, 1959, pp. 45–56.
- U.S. Army, Missile Command Reports, 1954–1958.
- Johnson, R. Naval Radar Tracking and Target Simulators. Journal of Naval Engineering, 1957, pp. 101–112.
- Gould, L. Expedient UAV Production Lines. Aviation Technology Quarterly, 1956, pp. 73–80.
- Harris, K. Self‑Destruct Mechanisms in Expendable UAVs. Journal of Aeronautical Engineering, 1960, pp. 213–218.
External Links
Categories
- 1950s United States military aircraft
- Target drones
- United States military aircraft of the Cold War
References & Further Reading
Sources
The following sources were referenced in the creation of this article. Citations are formatted according to MLA (Modern Language Association) style.
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1.
"U.S. Navy Official Website." navy.mil, https://www.navy.mil. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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2.
"U.S. Army Official Website." army.mil, https://www.army.mil. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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