OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION OF THE TDU-20/B FOAM TARGET.
Abstract
TAC Test 64-106 was conducted to evaluate the overall capability of the TDU-20/B Foam Target under operational conditions of air-to-air gunnery training and to compare the target's qualities with those of the modified five foot dart tested under TAC Test 63-58. The TDU-20/B target was constructed of unreinforced, expanded, polystyrene foam wing panels mounted on an aluminum keel which contained integrated radar reflectors throughout its length, and a weighted, adjustable nose section. The foam panels provided a light, relatively durable, and stable tow target for use with the A/A 37U-15 tow systems mounted on F-100 and F-105 aircraft. The low altitude parachute recovery system was employed on each tow sortie. An epoxy resin compound was used for patching bullet holes and minor damaged areas in the wing panels. It was concluded that the TDU-20/B target can be satisfactorily employed in the standard towing operations during aerial gunnery training missions. The test revealed that the target is stable throughout the airspeed and altitude regime established for air-to-air gunnery training in TAC directives. It has excellent bullet marking characteristics and provides good visual and radar acquisition for aircraft in the dart training pattern. The target cannot be air scored unless a relatively large piece of the target is observed being shot away. Assembling the target is a tedious procedure when compared to building up the modified five foot dart or standard TDU10/B target. The advantages of the TDU-20/B over the modified five foot dart and TDU-10/B do not justify its higher present estimated production cost. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0623305
Entities
People
- Karl S. Park