GAF Pika | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Australie |
| Rôle | Drone cible |
| Premier vol | 28 août 1952 |
| Construit | 517 |
Lla GAF Jindivik est un drone cible radiocommandé produit par l’Australian Government Aircraft Factories (GAF). Le nom vient d’un mot aborigène australien signifiant « Le chassé ». Deux prototypes à commande manuelle, ont été construits sous le nom de GAF Pika (Projet de preuve de concept pour tester l’aérodynamique, le moteur et les systèmes de contrôle radio, série A92-1/2, ‘B-1/2’. Le Jindivik radiocommandé a été initialement désigné Projet B et a reçu des publications en série dans la série A93. Pika est un mot aborigène australien qui signifie dépliant
Source: GAF Pika sur Wikipedia
| GAF Pika | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Musée RAAF, Point Cook |
| Photos | 47 |
Voir aussi :
General Characteristics and Role
The GAF Pika was a single-seat, manned, experimental jet aircraft developed by the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) in Australia. Its primary and sole role was to serve as a proof-of-concept testbed for the larger Jindivik pilotless target drone program. The Pika (an Aboriginal Australian word meaning « flier ») was essentially the Jindivik airframe modified with a cockpit, side air intakes (to clear space for the pilot), and a conventional retractable tricycle undercarriage. Only two prototypes were built (A93-1 and A93-2). By flying the Pika first, engineers could safely test the Jindivik’s unique aerodynamics, the performance of its jet engine, and the complex radio control systems before attempting unmanned flight, making it the only Australian-designed and built manned jet aircraft to date.
| Property | Typical Value (GAF Pika) |
|---|---|
| Type | Experimental Jet Aircraft / Testbed |
| National Origin | Australie |
| Fabricant | Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) |
| First Flight | October 31, 1951 (or November 4, 1950, sources vary) |
| Crew | 1 (Pilot) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | Approx. 1,315 kg (2,900 lb) |
| Length | 7.08–7.49 m (23 ft 3 in – 24 ft 7 in) |
| Envergure | 5.79–5.8 m (19 ft 0 in – 19 ft 0 in) |
Powerplant and Performance
- Engine: 1 x Armstrong Siddeley Adder ASA.1 turbojet engine.
- Thrust: Approx. 3.9 kN (1,050 lbf).
- Maximum Speed: Approx. 756 km/h (470 mph).
- Service Ceiling: Approx. 9,754 m (32,000 ft).
- Endurance: Limited to around 30 minutes due to the reduced fuel load necessitated by the pilot’s cockpit and undercarriage.
- Unique Purpose: The Pika could be flown manually by the pilot or controlled remotely by a ground station, providing crucial training for the future Jindivik operators.
- Air Intakes: Unlike the subsequent Jindivik (which had a dorsal intake), the Pika featured two side-mounted air intakes.
Service History and Legacy
- Test Program: The two prototypes logged over one hundred flights during testing at the Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia.
- Key Findings: The trials confirmed the Jindivik’s aerodynamic stability and performance envelope. One significant result was proving that the final Jindivik design did not require a rudder, leading to cost and weight savings.
- Successor: The knowledge gained from the Pika directly led to the successful development and mass production of the GAF Jindivik, which became a globally exported, high-altitude target drone used by Australia, the UK, Sweden, and the US Navy.
- Final Status: The last flying Pika (A93-2) ended its flying career in 1954. The sole surviving prototype is preserved and on public display at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook, Victoria.
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